Chicago Bulls: 5 Low-Cost Options at Shooting Guard

'Tis the season unlike most seasons, where the shopping for NBA free agents has begun late.  Players are currently meeting with interested teams and there should be a wave of movement once players can sign.

Expected moves are the eventual trade of Chris Paul and somebody signing Nene, but with several teams having cap space, there will be plenty of bad spending. 

The Bulls only have their full mid-level exception to use on players who are not interested in signing for the veteran minimum.  Candidates for that include: Grant Hill, Kurt Thomas, etc.  The other players may cash out well, but buyers beware!  This is a thin free-agent class after last year's crop that included LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh and Dirk Nowitzki.  

This year, no player on the free-agent market is guaranteed to become a difference-maker.  The Bulls must find a quality shooting guard from this group.  The best one is Detroit's combo guard, Rodney Stuckey, who the Bulls can only obtain via sign-and-trade, but the most realistic choices are Jason Richardson, who must be willing to take a huge pay cut, and restricted free agents Aaron Affalo and Nick Young.  The chances are that both Denver and Washington will match any offer they receive.

The Bulls must stay away from Jamal Crawford, who is a bad fit, and Tayshon Prince, whose asking price might be too high.

What about other options?  Players who wouldn't break the bank that would place the Bulls in salary cap hell.  Gar Forman is officially on the clock—allow me to help him out. 

5. Daequan Cook: Oklahoma City Thunder

The restricted free agent from Oklahoma City is a streaky shooter with good range.  He averaged a meager 5.6 points a game but would be an offensive upgrade over Keith Bogans.  He doesn't really strike fear in opponents' eyes, but I believe he can be coached.  It's hard for a player with his shooting ability to strive without much playing time. 

His weakness is that he's a suspect defender.

4. Von Wafer: Boston Celtics

The Bulls had significant interest in Wafer last year before they signed C.J. Watson.  A good shooter who has a little length, Wafer has some talent, but his progression has stalled a bit.  The one worry about him is whether or not he is merely a system player having thrived for Houston in a contract year two seasons ago. 

Good player to come off the bench, but the jury is still on him.  He may be worth the risk.  

3. Sonny Weems: Toronto Rapters

Allow me to reintroduce this name, Sonny Weems.  I've mentioned him before.  Coming off of a career year where he averaged a shade under 10 points a game, Weems is very athletic.  At 6'6", with a solid post-up game, he can take advantage of smaller guards.  He can also handle the ball fairly well, giving Derrick Rose a break there. 

The two knocks on Weems are that he's a poor shooter from three-point range and that he played for Toronto.  The latter might work in the Bulls' favor because obscurity doesn't pay very much.  That said, remember the name Sonny Weems. 

2. Sasha Vujacic: New Jersey Nets

Best description for Vujacic: excellent shooter, so-so defender. 

He's tall at 6'7" and has experience.  He would welcome the chance for playing time and playing with Rose, Vujacic would have a field day from three at any given time.  He came into the league as a point guard, so he could spell Rose at times and be on the floor with the 6'7" Ronnie Brewer to make a huge backcourt for different stretches of the game. 

Can coach Tom Thibodeau have patience with him is the question.  He stayed in the doghouse of former Lakers coach Phil Jackson before he was shipped to New Jersey.  Honestly, I wouldn't hesitate to inquire.

1. Marco Belinelli: New Orleans Hornets

For some strange reason, when you mention free agents, the name Marco Belinelli rarely comes up.  I understand that he's a restricted free agent but based off of his potential, there should be more conversation about the sharp shooter from Italy. 

He's a better fit than Orlando's J.J. Reddick, who the Bulls sought out last year.  An inch taller and having played with superstar point guard Chris Paul, he would mesh well with Derrick Rose's drive-and-kick ability.  Belinelli's defense improved from his first two seasons, where he played in a Golden State system that didn't emphasize defense, so that wouldn't be a problem.  The issue with Belinelli would be, are the Bulls willing to offer a contract that New Orleans wouldn't match?

VP John Paxson

Just as Gar Forman is on the clock, so is John Paxson.  As executive vice president of basketball operations, he must sign off on any deal.  I hope that they make a sound decision and avoid salary cap hell.  And please, consider young players.  Derrick Rose is built to run, he'll need to have teammates who can run with him.