Bulls Targeting Mo Williams, Will Bynum For Guard Help

[RealGM Wiretap]

With uncertainty in the backcourt, the Chicago Bulls are showing significant interest in Mo Williams and Will Bynum and have started exploratory discussions with the representatives of the free agent guards, league sources told RealGM.

Williams averaged 12.9 points in 46 games a season ago with the Utah Jazz, and he has a stated desire to receive heavy, contributing minutes. The Jazz acquired Trey Burke at No. 9 in the NBA draft and could start him early in his NBA career. At 30, Williams has established himself as a combo guard, and Tom Thibodeau would undoubtedly place the 10-year veteran in shooting and playmaking situations.

Bynum has been a pace-changing guard throughout his six seasons, averaging nearly 10 points on 46.9 percent shooting in 2012-13. He has played five of his six seasons with the Detroit Pistons. Given Chicago’s salary structure, Williams and Bynum both could be inclined to make less money in a potential deal with the Bulls.

The Bulls appear unlikely to retain Nate Robinson or Marco Belinelli, and they are expected to waive Rip Hamilton before his entire contract becomes guaranteed. Still, they’ll have Derrick Rose back next season, leading to fewer minutes for Kirk Hinrich.

Via Shams Charania/RealGM

[10acious]

I don't think that either Mo or Will are looking to sign near-minimum one year deals, which is what the Bulls are seeking. Nate was signed for the minimum (and non-guaranteed at that), and Marco was signed for just under $2 million, both on one year deals. Last year, the Bulls trolled the FA market at the end of the summer and close to training camp, not at the start of negotiations in July, to find players who had been passed over in the mad rush to sign FAs and were somewhat desperate to make an NBA roster.

[10acious]

The Bulls had very high turnover of their bench players last summer, replacing Asik (lost as a FA), Watson, Brewer, Korver, John Lucas III and the legendary Brian Scalabrine. Only Taj Gibson and Jimmy Butler were carried over to 2012-13. They added Teague (draft), Hinrich (mainly to replace Rose), Robinson, Belinelli, Nazr Mohammed, Daequan Cook (late add), and Vlad Radmanovic. Except for Teague and Hinrich, all the others were on one year deals for under $2 million. It appears this process will be repeated again this summer. Teague, Hinrich and possibly Mohammed will be back. Robinson had a career year and should get a good offer from another team, and Belinelli should as well. Often-injured starter Rip Hamilton will be bought out. Cook and Vlad were non-factors and won't be back. They will add the two draft picks so there may be room for two FA signings, one center/frontcourt and one backcourt player.

[YoungMoney23]

Williams is trash if you want to use him as a PG, He's an undersized 2 guard