Chicago Bulls eyeing Jason Kidd and Steve Nash in the off season – NBA Feature
In a bizarre turn of events, CSNChicago.com has reported that the Bulls will be going after free agents Steve Nash and Jason Kidd in the offseason. The news comes as a surprise to many basketball and Bulls fans.
“While the front office may seek out minimum-salary veterans at several positions, including point guard, a source tells CSNChicago.com that the Bulls will take a run at future Hall of Famers Steve Nash and Jason Kidd in free agency, trying to convince the
former All-Stars that they will have an opportunity to win a championship, of which Kidd has one, from last season with the Mavericks, and Nash has none, in Chicago” says CSNChicago.com.
The Bulls were ousted in the first round of the NBA playoffs by the Philadelphia 76ers after they lost Derrick Rose for the rest of the season with an ACL injury suffered in game 1 against the Sixers. Rose is expected to be out for 8-12 months, which has
created a great deal of confusion for the Bulls.
The Bulls need someone to replace Rose till the time he returns. Since the team was built around the star point guard, they need someone decent to say the least. However, they also need someone who is willing to take the position as a backup once Rose eventually
returns to the Bulls line-up.
And that is exactly why the signing of Steve Nash and Jason Kidd seems quite unlikely. Both are free agents looking to switch teams in the off season. Steve Nash wants to move to a championship contending team as he hunts for the ever elusive NBA championship.
Kidd is unlikely to sign with the Dallas Mavericks as the Mavericks are looking towards the future and are in the hunt of New Jersey Nets point guard Deron Williams, who is also a free agent this summer. Both players would be a great addition to the Bulls
roster if Rose was not part of the team. However, in the event that Rose returns to the line-up, any of the two point guards would be too costly to be added as a backup. Of the two, Kidd might settle for a backup role to Rose as he probably has 1 or two more
years of basketball left in him. Nash is unlikely to settle for a backup position when he has other teams where he could go.
The other possibility for the Bulls is for them to play two guards in the starting line-up. Rose is not that great a shooter to be playing as a shooting guard. Plus, his pedigree is his explosiveness and ability to penetrate into the paint and break down
the defence. He also has a size disadvantage which is why it is highly unlikely he will move from the point guard position. Hence, playing two guards also does not look like a suitable solution for the Bulls.
With the circumstances that have arisen in the Bulls team since the injury to Rose, it will be very difficult for them to land a perennial point guard who will be willing to play back up. Both Steve Nash and Jason Kidd will find better options than to sign
with the Bulls after taking a salary cut, and then give away their position in the team when Rose returns.
For Chicago as well, the more sensible move would be to strengthen their front court, possibly add a star power forward in place of Carlos Boozer. And then rely on back up point guards C J Watson and John Lucas till the time Rose returns to take his place
in the starting roster. That seems to be a win – win situation for everybody.
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