The Chicago Bulls virtually bid goodbye to their title hopes this season when they traded Luol Deng earlier this month, but the perennial Eastern Conference contender could become a more potent team next season.
The Bulls, who traded Deng to the Cleveland Cavaliers to gain cap flexibility starting next summer, are reportedly looking to make a big splash next summer.
The Chicago Sun-Times reported that the Bulls will likely target superstars LeBron James of the Miami Heat and Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks, who could both hit free agency after this season.
Sources said that the Bulls are salivating about the idea of pairing a healthy Derrick Rose to either Anthony or James, knowing that it would put them in a better position in their bid to end the Bulls' NBA title drought.
James has been dodging questions about free agency since the season started, but the four-time Most Valuable Player had a cryptic message to Dwyane Wade on Friday.
The reigning MVP said that the two of them will remain brothers "no matter what happens in future", which created speculations that James will indeed consider parting ways with Wade.
Anthony, on the other hand, made it no secret that he will indeed test free agency after the current season. While he previously insisted that staying in New York will be his top option, recent rumors suggested that he is leaning towards leaving the Knicks in the summer.
Sources said that Anthony, who is averaging 26.1 points and 9.0 rebounds per game this season, will allegedly sign with the Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, or Los Angeles Clippers next summer.
However, NBA analysts believe that the Bulls' ability to attract superstar free agents to their team will rely on the progress of Rose, who suffered another season-ending knee injury earlier in the season.
But if the Bulls fail to land both James and Anthony, they have already a "Plan B" in place, which is signing soon-to-be free agent Lance Stephenson of the Indiana Pacers.
Stephenson will be an unrestricted free agent next summer, and several teams are already anticipating his impending free agency. The 23-year-old is having a breakout year, averaging 13.7 points to go along with 6.6 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game this season.
"If they fail to land a star of the magnitude of Anthony or James, there is a consolation prize. The Bulls would love to nab Lance Stephenson from the Indiana Pacers," the Sun-Times noted.
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