What Needs to be Done with the Chicago Bulls?

In professional sports a team's championship window doesn't stay open very long. For the Chicago Bulls that window has never been open all that wide with the juggernaut that is the Miami Heat staring them down year after year in the Eastern Conference. Injuries depleted the Bulls last season, but still they gave an admirable performance in the playoffs, losing to the Heat in the semi-finals. That's all fine and good and yes, Derrick Rose will make his much-anticipated return this season. However, that's not good enough. This Bulls team is not a championship team with the roster they have in place now. There is work to be done and here are a few things.

1. Add a scorer to the backcourt to team up with Rose
This is a problem that has plagued the Bulls since Ben Gordon departed for Detroit years ago. They have not been able to find a scoring two guard and it has left Derrick Rose to fend for himself in the backcourt on multiple occasions. The 2011 Eastern Conference Finals is a perfect example. Once the Heat decided to focus their efforts on shutting down Rose, the Bulls offense was completely shot. It's also not ideal for the point guard to shoulder the scoring load as he is already using enough energy to get the ball across halfcourt and create for teammates.

One rumor that has come up before tonight's draft is the possibility of sending Luol Deng to Washington for the third pick in the draft. Personally I'm in favor of this move. I love Deng and the energy he brings to the defensive end, but the truth of the matter is that he is getting older and the injuries have started to become a concern. Couple that with the fact that Jimmy Butler seems poised for a breakout season and Chicago has Nikola Mirotic's rights overseas and it seems like a good move.

With that third pick the Bulls need to draft a player like Ben McLemore. McLemore is a proven scorer with a silky stroke from deep. He excelled in his one season at Kansas and is exactly the kind of off-the-ball scorer the Bulls are searching for. He moves without the ball to find open shots, but can also create for himself. This will relieve much of the pressure off of Rose and will combat some of the team's offensive woes.

2. Depth in the frontcourt
Joakim Noah is an All-Star, but he can't be counted on for 40-45 minutes per game. It's not smart to do that to him especially with some of the foot troubles he has had. If the Bulls want to keep him long term and have him healthy then they need to decrease his minutes. Taj Gibson is a solid piece off the bench and he is someone Chicago should keep. However, Nazr Mohammed didn't bring much to the table and Carlos Boozer is always a rollercoaster ride.

Boozer is a bad contract who plays bad defense. If Chicago could find a way to trade him for some young talent in the post that would be ideal. The Kevin Love deal seems all but dead, however, if the team keeps the 20th pick there should be a player they can draft and develop. Keeping Boozer one more year is not all bad though because he presents a good offensive weapon. Still, the Bulls must add depth to the post.

3. Add shooters
Good shooters are essential to success in the NBA. The Bulls flourished two years ago with Rose's constant penetration and kickouts to shooters like Kyle Korver, but last season they struggled to shoot the ball from deep. Teams like Miami and San Antonio win ball games with great shooters set up around the perimeter. When stars like LeBron James or Tony Parker penetrate they attract the defense and that opens up kickouts to those shooters.

Chicago needs to add shooters to their roster and they also must hope that Kirk Hinrich is more consistent with his outside shot. Rose has reportedly improved his outside shot, but other than that there is not viable option to shoot the ball from three. This has to be a focal point tonight and throughout the offseason.

There is no telling what will happen in the next few years around the league. There are so many big name stars coming up on free agency that the future is quite the mystery. Still, the Bulls can't count on the roster they have to get the job done. There are obvious improvements that need to be made and tonight could be the start of it all. Chicago has drafted well in recent years despite having late picks (Butler, Omer Asik) and they must draft well again tonight. There championship window depends on what they do in tonight's draft whether that be trades or picks.