On the same exact day (well night actually) that the Chicago Bulls formally introduced Carlos Boozer to the Chicago community, (and a day after officially losing out on the Lebron sweepstakes) the front office made a couple more moves. And they were the perfect supplemental moves towards addressing their team needs. Boozer filled their glaring need for a back-to-the-basket scorer, and someone who can add more of an offensive presence to the post.
Next they were desperate for a real perimeter scorer to the play the two and spread the defenses that will be geared towards stopping the Derrick Rose led drive-and-kick game.
They found him in Kyle Korver, and they may have found help in J.J. Redick.
By Paul M. Banks
On Friday night, the Bulls inked a three-year deal worth an estimated $15 million with Korver, formerly of the Utah Jazz. The versatile 6-7 swingman was one of the NBA’s most dangerous three-point shooters at 54% last year. The Creighton University product should make a good fit with Boozer in the offense, as Tom Thibodeau’s pick-and-pops and pick-and-rolls should yield plenty of open looks for Korver.
It also helps that Korver and Boozer played together in Salt Lake City for a few years, so they’ll bring some continuity with each other to the team.
Later, the Bulls extended an offer sheet to restricted free agent J.J. Redick for $19 million over 3 years. The Orlando Magic will now have seven days to match that offer from the Bulls.
If the Bulls can land Redick, they’ll have more depth on the perimeter. And between him and Korver, they’ll more than make up for the departure of Kirk Hinrich in the white boy quotient.
This would also give them three former Duke Blue Devils (Boozer, Deng) on the roster; thereby making this day one of the most glorious in the history of the Chicago Duke University alumni club.
Written by Paul M. Banks, President and CEO of The Sports Bank.net , a Midwest focused webzine. He is also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, the Chicago Tribune’s blog network, Walter Football.com, the Washington Times Communities, Yardbarker Network, and Fox Sports.com
You can follow him on Twitter @thesportsbank and @bigtenguru