Chicago Bulls Rumors: Bulls Closing in on 3-Year Deal with Richard Hamilton
The Chicago Bulls are not going to remain the biggest losers of NBA free agency as the team is closing in on a three-year, $15 million contract with former Detroit Pistons shooting guard Richard Hamilton.
Andrew Seligman of the Associated Press wrote this afternoon that the Bulls and Hamilton were close to a deal, according to an anonymous source.
If that is the case, the Bulls will strike gold in gaining a solid starter in the 33-year-old Hamilton, who has averaged 17.7 points per game during his career and over 20 points per game during his playoff career.
Hamilton provides the Bulls with a strong 2-guard who has length (6'7") and speed. Hamilton has hit 45 percent of his career shots while nailing 34.7 percent of his threes.
The former Piston, who was bought out the final two years of his $19 million contract for $11 million, would give NBA MVP Derrick Rose a viable backcourt teammate who could help him spread the floor and allow Rose to play off the ball more.
Hamilton is a solid passer and ball-handler who draws fouls well. He is also a decent defender who could defend quick guards and would benefit being in team-first defensive system that the Bulls employ.
Signing Hamilton would show the NBA, and particularly the Miami Heat, that the Bulls mean business when it comes to winning an NBA title. After missing out on top free agents like Jason Richardson while losing a key backup in Kurt Thomas to the Portland Trail Blazers, gaining Hamilton puts the Bulls as one of the league's top three teams.
Their starting lineup would be the most well-rounded in the NBA, as it would be Rose, Hamilton, Luol Deng, Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah.
Not only would Hamilton solve the Bulls' shooting guard problem, but he would come without the Bulls having to trade valuable bench depth.
Hopefully, Hamilton inks a deal with the Bulls soon so he could get acquainted with his new teammates.
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