Welcoming Nikola, Returning Kirk

Whenever I blog about a Bulls offseason, I don't usually expect things to be so busy that I have to post updates three days in a row.  However, LeBron James' Cleveland return meant all systems go for teams as they looked to stack up for the new season.  As the Bulls were working out the details of Pau Gasol's 3-year, $22 million contract, they kept busy rounding out their roster.  By Sunday night, they had finally brought over 2011 draft pick Nikola Mirotic from the Spanish league and re-signed Kirk Hinrich.

Let's start with Mirotic, last year's Spanish Cup MVP, whose signing was greeted with much anticipation and great fanfare.  His NBA career will begin with a 3-year, $17 million deal.  That speaks as to how high the Bulls are on one of the greatest players to ever come out of Europe, at least among the competition there.  We'll have to see how well his game translates here in North America, but all indications are he's ready to compete with the best in basketball.  His floor spacing and perimeter shooting have always been valuable assets to the Bulls' front office.  That reputation will make him one of the most intriguing young power forwards in the NBA this coming season.

It has to be comforting to Mirotic that fellow Spaniard Gasol also joined the Bulls this past weekend.  They can certainly discover the city of Chicago together, but more importantly, Gasol should serve as a true basketball mentor to the rookie.  Gasol is a legend in his homeland and Mirotic likely watched him a lot while growing up.  What's more, both men can be stuck in either the four or five slot, so this appears to be a perfect match.  Once the veteran star is through with Mirotic, the fruits of his labors will be that everyone in the league will view this new kid as a real threat, maybe even an All-Star.

We don't know how often Mirotic will see the floor this season.  Thibodeau's reluctance to play rookies is well known by now.  Tony Snell was in the regular rotation last year, but played the fewest minutes of any of those players by far.  I've already talked about what Doug McDermott's role should be, but Mirotic's role this coming year should be of equal performance.  Not since Toni Kukoc arrived prior to the start of the 1993-94 season has a former Bulls draftee's arrival caused so much fanfare.  Kukoc became an integral part of the second three-peat.  While it's too soon to predict if Mirotic will serve a similar purpose, we know this is what the Bulls and their fans have wanted to happen for three years.  We're anxious to see if our waiting will pay off.

As far back as the playoff elimination by Washington, the Bulls and Hinrich have expressed mutual interest in coming together for another run.  Despite drawing interest from other teams, the aforementioned parties got their wish to the tune of 2 years and $5.5 million.  Whether Gar Forman and John Paxson knew D.J. Augustin was about to sign with the Pistons may never be known, but they knew they wanted to keep Hinrich around, so here he is once more.  Thibodeau likes him too, so everyone is happy.

Hopefully, this will be the year Hinrich can finally get a break from regular starting duties.  It was supposed to be last season after having to take it on in 2012-13.  Then, Derrick Rose was injured again and he had to re-assume the role.  Now, indications are Rose is healthy (unless lightning somehow strikes a third time), so the aging Hinrich won't be forced to carry so much of the load.  I pray this is the last time I have to type that statement.

Last year, his second season in his second tenure with the Bulls, Hinrich averaged 9.1 points and 3.9 assists per game while shooting 39 percent from the field.  All of those were below his respective career averages of 9.1 points, 5.2 assists and 41 percent.  However, his veteran presence is a reminder of the hard-work mantra the Bulls are all about and he'll be able to log some valuable minutes.  Thibodeau just has to space them out because if he plays him more than his body is capable of anymore, he becomes ineffective.  We saw that more than we would have liked last season.

For now, it appears the 2014-15 Bulls have been set.  Aside from using the amnesty clause on Carlos Boozer over the next couple of days and possibly trading Anthony Randolph, nothing else presents a pressing need.  Yes, landing that second star would have been nice, but I truly believe the Bulls did everything in their power to make it possible and they just happened to fall short.  I'll give them a B+ for stacking the roster with talent they didn't have during the previous campaign.  That will make them fun to watch. 

I just hope this coming year is less about hustle and more about them just being that good.  We learned in the Wizards series that hustle is for naught when everyone is going full throttle and you don't have the talent to match it.  I see a more talented Bulls team now and despite any shortcomings that may have occurred, I'll take a team like this in the wide open East.