Chicago Bulls Rumors: How Derrick Rose's New Deal Will Impact Bulls Free Agency

From the time that Derrick Rose entered the NBA, he has been on a mission to become the best player in the league. In his first year, he wanted to be the league’s most valuable player.  

He didn’t win the MVP award in the first year—he did it in his third. 

Rose is coming up on becoming a free agent. He could test the free-agent market and would get one of the biggest contracts in the NBA. However, Rose is coming close to signing a new five-year, $94 million extension with the Bulls.  

His new deal will determine what the Bulls do in the future when it comes to building a championship team around Rose.  

According to Bulls general manager Gar Forman:  

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"Derrick is the centerpiece of what we're putting together here. We want Derrick to be a Bull for a long, long time. It's very important that we put the right pieces around Derrick." 

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What are the right pieces to surround someone like Rose?  

If you ask Derrick, he will tell you that if you want to come to Chicago, come. If not, then he will not beg you to come join.

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"It's just me, man," Rose said. "If it's not coming from the front office, you're not going to hear me saying anything about recruiting anyone. The city speaks for itself, especially for basketball. If you want to come here, opportunity is here. The front office is great. Our fans are the best."

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According to Slamonline, the Bulls can offer the Orlando Magic a great trade offer for center Dwight Howard. 

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Sources said the Bulls, who can build a package around cap relief, young talent and attractive draft picks, will enter trade talks.

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The Bulls with Howard would be the best team in the Eastern Conference.

However with the new deal for Rose, it will be difficult for the Bulls to sign Howard past this year.  

It would not be smart for the Bulls to sacrifice their future for a run at the NBA title this year. They have $13 and $12 million tied up to Carlos Boozer and Luol Deng in guaranteed money this year. Next year holds another $15, $13 and potentially $18.5 million in guaranteed money for Boozer and Deng with Rose's new contract coming into play. 

Instead, the Bulls should save their draft picks and talented players and spend their available cap room on former Detroit Pistons sharp-shooter Rip Hamilton.  

Rose is one of the best players in the NBA. His jersey will eventually sit next to Michael Jordan’s in the rafters at the United Center. The Bulls do not have to make a desperate move in maxing out two contracts under their cap. 

With Rose’s new deal, they can max out Derrick’s contract and keep their solid core around him for the next five years. 

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