Bulls bring back Brooks, set summer roster
A year ago, San Antonio pulled off a rare accomplishment, starting the season with the same roster of players that won the NBA championship the previous spring.
The Bulls won't match the no-turnover milestone, but they'll be close. With the news that backup point guard Aaron Brooks agreed to a one-year deal, the Bulls are on target to bring back all of last season's players, except for rookie Bobby Portis likely replacing veteran Nazr Mohammed.
There is still time for changes. Cameron Bairstow and E'Twaun Moore have non-guaranteed deals for next season, each with different guarantee dates. So if the Bulls tried to sign another free agent, there is room on the roster. They could also bring back Mohammed, in theory.
The obvious difference in those two examples is San Antonio was coming off a championship when it brought back the entire team. The Bulls won 50 games and lost in the second round of the playoffs so maybe they should make some changes.
The obvious explanation is the Bulls are counting on internal improvement to make a step forward next season. Nikola Mirotic, Doug McDermott and Tony Snell are young players with higher expectations. Then there's the hope Derrick Rose will be better if he has a second-straight healthy season, Joakim Noah's knee won't be as sore and the chemistry among big men will improve in Pau Gasol's second year with the Bulls.
The Bulls rebuilt the roster last summer and management believes this group will respond well to new coach Fred Hoiberg's faster-paced offensive plan.
To make it work, they'll need better outside shooting. The Bulls weren't bad in 3-point shooting last season - 10th in percentage, 15th in 3-pointers made - but the NBA's elite teams were better. Mirotic, McDermott, Snell, Rose, Mike Dunleavy and Jimmy Butler all have room to improve.
A taller backup point guard was a potential wish list item after the sub 6-foot Brooks struggled defensively in the playoffs against Milwaukee's Michael Carter-Williams. But considering the lack of free-agent options, the Bulls were probably smart to lock up Brooks, a confident scorer despite his size.
The Bulls greatest need? The vote here is for another wing defender who can at least ease Butler's workload. In a playoff series against Cleveland, the Bulls can't realistically expect Butler to score 20 points a game and guard LeBron James for 44 minutes. James rarely, if ever, guards Butler.
Maybe Snell can be that guy. Maybe there's a chance for a midseason trade. Would the Bulls be able to fit someone like Luc Richard Mbah a Moute onto their crowded payroll? Tough to say, but that's where an upgrade would be useful.
The good news is, no team in the East made a significant improvement this month.
Cleveland seems ready to bring everyone back, with a couple guys still pending, which would make the Cavs once again the team to beat. Atlanta, Washington and Toronto all lost a starter, so it's reasonable to think the Bulls can once again be LeBron's biggest challenge.
Bulls set coaching staff:
Fred Hoiberg's coaching staff is finalized. Already announced were the additions of top assistant Jim Boylen and the return of Pete Myers. Other new additions are Randy Brown, who's been the Bulls' assistant general manager the last few years and 29-year-old former Iowa State assistant Charlie Henry.
Mike Wilhelm will remain on the staff and begin his 14th season with the Bulls. Wilhelm made his reputation as an advance scout and has now survived five coaching changes since joining the team, which is amazing.
Summer squad takes shape:
The Bulls began prepping for the Las Vegas Summer League, with the first game on Saturday against Minnesota. The summer roster includes second-year Bulls Doug McDermott and Cameron Bairstow, along with rookie Bobby Portis, who officially signed his first contract.
A couple of familiar names on the roster are former Illini guard Rayvonte Rice and ex-Marquette guard Vander Blue. Two former Iowa State players are on the squad, 6-4 guard Diante Garrett and 6-2 guard Tyrus McGee.
The rest of the summer roster is 6-9 Cristiano Felicio from Brazil, 6-3 Amere May from Delaware State, 6-3 Ramon Galloway from LaSalle, 6-8 Darrell Williams from Texas A&M-Commerce and 6-4 T.J. Price from Western Kentucky.
Williams is a Chicago native who was accused of sexual assault while playing at Oklahoma State and later exonerated. He finished his career at Division II Texas A&M-Commerce last season after a 3½-year break from basketball.
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