Will Bulls be adding to offense?
The Bulls are still the NBA's worst scoring team, averaging 92.9 points per game.
But the offense is starting to show signs of life.
Since Feb. 9, the Bulls have averaged 98 points and also won seven of eight games. On Tuesday in Atlanta, the Bulls had seven players reach double figures. A day later against Golden State, seven players scored at least 8 points.
"I think we're getting good balance," said Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau after beating the Warriors. "When we're a five-man offense, we're good."
The Bulls will try to add another scorer to this mix. Evidence suggests they will make a play for guard Jimmer Fredette, who was officially released by Sacramento on Thursday.
First, he needs to clear waivers during the next 48 hours. It's unlikely a team with cap room would be willing to take on Fredette's $2.6 million salary, but it's not out of the question. Memphis claimed guard Beno Udrih off waivers from New York this week.
There does appear to be mutual interest between the Bulls and Fredette, who never played much with the Kings although he shot 49.3 percent from 3-point range this season.
"He's not a good shooter, he's a great shooter," Kings general manager Pete D'Alessandro told the Sacramento Bee, "and like anything in the NBA, sometimes it works in one place and not in another."
The 6-foot-2 Fredette made a name for himself in college at BYU during the 2010-11 season by averaging 28.9 points per game. He was drafted with the 10th pick in the draft by Sacramento, but averaged just 15 minutes per game during three seasons.
The Kings did not pick up Fredette's contract option for next year, so he was going to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. Essentially, the Kings are doing him a favor by letting him audition with a different team. The Bulls are an attractive target because they need more outside shooting and figure to make the playoffs. It's possible they could offer Fredette a contract option for next season.
The knock on Fredette has always been his foot speed and defense, but Thibodeau has plugged poor individual defenders into his successful team defense before, with Carlos Boozer and Kyle Korver quickly springing to mind.
A number of well-known players have hit the open market since the NBA's trade deadline expired last week. Former Indiana all-star Danny Granger was released by Philadelphia and Caron Butler reached a buyout agreement with Milwaukee.
There were reports that the Bulls have been in contact with both players, but sources closer to the team suggested there has not been strong interest in Granger or Butler. Granger is expected to land with the Los Angeles Clippers, while Butler will most likely end up with Miami, his original NBA team.
Former Bulls guard Ben Gordon has reportedly worked on a contract buyout with the Charlotte Bobcats. The Bulls are not expected to have interest unless they miss out on Fredette.
The Bulls traveled to Dallas on Thursday for a game against the Mavericks and will be back at home on Sunday afternoon against New York. Fredette won't be free to sign with a new team until Saturday, assuming he clears waivers.