Chicago Bulls: Possible SG Solutions If Richard Hamilton Isn't Signed by Bulls
There is talk circulating that the Detroit Pistons' Richard Hamilton will sign with the Chicago Bulls after he clears waivers. But, what will the Bulls do if Hamilton is claimed off waivers?
Hamilton, 33, is the top shooting guard available right now that doesn't require a trade. A team in need of a 2-guard like the Atlanta Hawks might swoop in and claim him.
If Hamilton does not become a Chicago Bull, what will the Bulls do to solve their shooting guard woes?
The Atlanta Hawks' Jamal Crawford will not be a solution as the 31-year-old veteran is a volume shooter who plays poor defense while having a bad attitude.
With that in mind, here are a few possible solutions if Hamilton doesn't ink a deal with the Bulls.
Chicago Bulls Acquire Nick Young from Washington Wizards
1 of 5If Hamilton does not come to the Chicago Bulls, the Bulls might want to go after Washington Wizards shooting guard Nick Young.
Young, a 26-year-old player who is a USC product. He had a breakout season last year by averaging 17.4 points a game on 44.1 percent shooting.
Throughout his career, Young has been a 43.7 percent shooter while nailing 38.3 percent of his three-pointers.
The 6'7", 210-pound Young provides the Bulls with some backcourt length. He has explosive speed. His speed and ability to create his own shot would open more opportunities for Bulls point guard Derrick Rose.
Right now, Young is a restricted-free agent with the Wizards. The Wizards have expressed interest in retaining Young to be a part of their youthful core of John Wall and JaVale McGee.
The Bulls are also interested in Young. To acquire Young, the Bulls have one of two choices:They could win a bidding war for Young, or they could go for a sign and trade.
The Bulls don't have the money to outbid the Wizards, so a sign and trade might be the more plausible solution.
In a sign and trade, the Bulls could offer Omer Asik, rookie Jimmy Butler, and a first round draft pick for Young.
Chicago Bulls Acquire Monta Ellis from Golden State Warriors
2 of 5Another possible solution for the Chicago Bulls shooting guard position is doing a sign and trade for the Golden State Warriors' Monta Ellis.
Ellis, a 26-year-old who has six years of NBA experience, is someone the Bulls have inquired about last summer.
The 6'3", 185-pound Ellis is a tremendous scorer who poured in 24.1 points and 5.6 assists per game with the Warriors in 2010-11. He has career averages of 19.4 points and 4.2 assists per game, while shooting 46.9 percent (33.1 from beyond the arc) in his career.
Ellis is a solid transition player, who posts up well against fellow guards. He has improved his passing and shot selection last year.
Derrick Rose would have a dynamic teammate in Ellis. The two would provide the Bulls with a dangerous backcourt.
Ellis is a horrible defender, but Keith Bogans could come off the bench if a defensive stop is needed.
The Warriors guard is not a free agent, but has thought about leaving Golden State for some time.
The Bulls could offer the Golden State Warriors Omer Asik, Ronnie Brewer and a first round pick or two for Ellis.
The Warriors could use the defense that Asik and Brewer would provide, while Stephen Curry and David Lee would worry about the scoring duties.
Chicago Bulls Keep Keith Bogans
3 of 5While many people, including this writer, probably want Keith Bogans off the team. The Chicago Bulls might pick up their team option and have him start again.
Despite Bogans not being a good scorer, the Bulls were 30-3. Including the playoffs, when Bogans scored six or more points in a game. However, that was only in about a third of the Bulls games.
Bogans does provide the Bulls with good defense. His lack of scoring will be overlooked if power forward Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah remain healthy and provide solid offensive numbers.
Chicago Bulls Promote C.J. Watson as Starting SG
4 of 5The Chicago Bulls have a former starting shooting guard who is currently on their bench.His name is C.J. Watson.
He played as a starting 2-guard for 32 games with the Golden State Warriors. He was one of the leading scorers off the Bulls Bench Mob.
Watson, a 27-year-old veteran who played college ball at Tennessee, has posted good numbers in his 33-career starts. He averages 15.5 points and 4.3 assists a game while shooting 46.25 percent from the field.
Just last year, Watson scored 33 points and had three assists against the Denver Nuggets when he started for an injured Derrick Rose.
Rose and Watson played well off each other when they were both on the floor last year. They are both fast. Also, Watson can create his own shot.
The negative is Watson is 6'2" and 175 pounds, so he is really undersized for a shooting guard. The Bulls could substitute the 6'7" Ronnie Brewer when the team needs more defense.
For this proposal to possibly work, the Bulls would have to sign a competent backup point guard to relieve Rose.
Chicago Bulls Shift Luol Deng to Starting SG
5 of 5The Bulls have an athletic small forward in Luol Deng. They might want to explore the options of shifting him over to the shooting guard position.
Deng, a seven-year veteran who balled at Duke, is a 6'9" winger. He is a good defender against small forwards and even shooting guards when he switches off defensive assignments.
He has a career average of 16 points a game, while scoring 17.4 points last year. Deng is a good slasher who has a career 47.1 shooting percentage. Yet, he doesn't stretch the floor by making just 32.7 percent of his threes.
The Sudanese baller has played with Rose the past three seasons. He knows his game, as the two were the primary scorers for the Bulls during that span.
If Deng would switch to shooting guard, the Bulls could replace Deng's starting spot with rookie Jimmy Butler.
Butler played three seasons at Marquette, where the 6'7" winger averaged 14.7 and 15.7 points a game his final two years. Butler is a good defender and plays well around the rim.
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