Taking another page out of the San Antonio Spurs' book, the Chicago Bulls have quietly put together a talented, deep, and balanced team that is prepared to claim the Eastern Conference crown.
While it would have been great to be able to bring a talent like Carmelo Anthony to this Chicago Bulls team without losing the core of the current line up, Chicago has been able to upgrade last year's team without really making any sacrifices.
With only amnestying Carlos Boozer, the Bulls were able to add 4-time All-Star Pau Gasol and former Spanish League MVP Nikola Mirotic, each on affordable three year deals that promise to keep the Chicago Bulls at the top of the Eastern Conference for the prime years of Derrick Rose's and Joakim Noah's careers.
And at 23, Nikola Mirotic will have a chance to prove himself as an elite talent at the NBA level, and potentially a pillar of the Chicago Bulls present and future.
These moves fall short of the splash it would have been if Chicago had been able to land Carmelo Anthony as many believed they would, but despite that, the most knowledgeable NBA analysts have annointed the Chicago Bulls the favorites in the Eastern Conference.
In addition, this summer should completely dispel the notion that the Chicago Bulls ownership is cheap by their choice of Bulls ownership to amnesty Carlos Boozer, who was claimed off of waivers with a winning bid of $3.25M by the Los Angeles Lakers. The Bulls will be responsible for the other $13.55M of Boozer's remaining contract.
The move was certainly not a money-saving move, but it allows the Chicago Bulls to reload with Gasol and Mirotic to make a run at the NBA Championship with a revamped line-up that not only matches up well with other Eastern Conference contenders but has the size and skill up front to match up with Western Conference powers like San Antonio.
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