Omer Asik
Height, weight, position:
7-0, 235, C.
Age, experience, college:
25, 1 season, N/A.
Contract status:
Restricted free agent after two-year, $3,578,500 deal ends in July 2012.
2010-11 averages:
2.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, 12.1 minutes, 55.3 percent shooting, 82 games.
A look back:
Strong rookie season ended with fractured fibula in playoffs. That’s Asik’s third — albeit, unrelated — injury since team acquired his draft rights in 2008. Strong defender and rebounder.
A look ahead:
Asik must improve his offensive game, particularly his tendency to fumble passes and get the ball stripped. His defensive instincts and rotating ability belie his youth.
Carlos Boozer
Height, weight, position:
6-9, 266, F.
Age, experience, college:
30, 9 seasons, Duke.
Contract status:
Entering the second season of a five-year, $75 million deal.
2010-11 averages:
17.5 points, 9.6 rebounds, 31.9 minutes, 51 percent shooting, 59 games.
A look back:
Boozer missed season’s first 15 games after fracturing a bone in his right hand. He played well in December and January, however turf toe limited his lift and effectiveness in the playoffs.
A look ahead:
Boozer dropped roughly 20 pounds and the team has emphasized playing inside-out. He must stay healthy and regain the lift and explosiveness that led to two All-Star appearances with Utah.
Ronnie Brewer
Height, weight, position:
6-7, 227, G.
Age, experience, college:
26, 5 seasons, Arkansas.
Contract status:
In the final season of two-year, $9.5 million deal. Team holds $4.37 million team option for 2012-13.
2010-11 averages:
6.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 22 minutes, 48 percent shooting, 81 games.
A look back:
Finished regular season strong and played well in postseason after battling a sore hamstring early in season. Led the team in steals and served as disruptive force on defense.
A look ahead:
Will adjust to new role with the addition of Richard Hamilton after closing many games for Keith Bogans last season. Sneaky cutter along baseline makes him an underrated offensive player.
Jimmy Butler
Height, weight, position:
6-7, 220, G-F.
Age, experience, college:
22, R, Marquette.
Contract status:
Entering first season of scaled rookie contract that will pay prorated portion of $1,052,760.
2010-11 averages (at Marquette):
15.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 49 percent shooting, 37 games.
A look back:
Intrigued team with his defensive versatility, length and toughness. Possessed a decent midrange game at Marquette with the ability to handle the ball in spot duty.
A look ahead:
In normal season, would be tough to crack rotation from team returning core that won league-best 62 games. But with such a compressed schedule, could see spot minutes as defensive force.
Luol Deng
Height, weight, position:
6-9, 220, F.
Age, experience, college:
26, 7 seasons, Duke.
Contract status:
Entering fourth season of six-year, $71 million deal that contains difficult-to-reach incentives.
2010-11 averages:
17.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 39.1 minutes, 46 percent shooting, 82 games.
A look back:
Played in every game for the second time in his career and thrived in Tom Thibodeau’s system. Earned votes for Defensive Player of the Year for first time in his career.
A look ahead:
More of a system player than a creator, Deng should again thrive with the addition of Richard Hamilton as another offensive option. Again will be asked to check opponent’s best perimeter player.
Taj Gibson
Height, weight, position:
6-9, 225, F.
Age, experience, college:
26, 2 seasons, USC.
Contract status:
Will make prorated portion of $1,195,680 in his rookie contract. Bulls hold his rights through 2013-14.
2010-11 averages:
7.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, 21.8 minutes, 46.6 percent shooting, 80 games.
A look back:
Reliable reserve provided little drop-off — and sometimes improvement — on offense or defense whenever Carlos Boozer sat. He and Omer Asik helped form formidable, active second unit on defense.
A look ahead:
Has to avoid tendency to put ball on floor occasionally. Otherwise, Gibson is as consistent of a reserve as the team has.
Richard Hamilton
Height, weight, position:
6-7, 193, G.
Age, experience, college:
33, 12 seasons, Connecticut.
Contract status:
Signed a two-year, $10 million deal with a team option for $5.15 million in the third season.
2010-11 averages:
14.1 points, 3.1 assists, 27.2 minutes, 42.9 percent shooting, 55 games with Pistons.
A look back:
Posted some of lowest numbers of his distinguished career as his playing time dropped and he feuded with ex-Pistons coach John Kuester.
A look ahead:
Signed to provide steady scoring, particularly come playoff time. He has averaged 20 points in 120 career postseason games.
Kyle Korver
Height, weight, position:
6-7, 212, F.
Age, experience, college:
30, 8 seasons, Creighton.
Contract status:
In final season of two-year, $10 million deal. Team holds $5 million option for 2012-13, of which $500,000 is guaranteed.
2010-11 averages:
8.3 points, 1.8 rebounds, 20.1 minutes, 43.4 percent shooting, 82 games.
A look back:
3-point shooting inevitably dropped from his NBA-record-setting 53.6 percent set in 2009-10 with Utah. Still stretched defenses and landed in most end-of-game rotations.
A look ahead:
Team will need his durability — he played in all 82 games for third time in his career — to again stretch defenses and create driving lanes for Derrick Rose. Below-average individual defender but decent in team schemes.
John Lucas III
Height, weight, position:
5-11, 165, G.
Age, experience, college:
29, 3 seasons, Oklahoma State.
Contract status:
On a fully non-guaranteed deal that will pay him prorated portion of $947,907.
2010-11 averages:
1 point, 0.5 assists, 5 minutes, 33.3 percent shooting, 2 games.
A look back:
Landed in headlines when he missed critical, late-game free throw in November road loss to Denver. Signed to be upbeat practice player.
A look ahead:
If he remains on roster, his contract becomes guaranteed early in 2012. Long a favorite of coach Tom Thibodeau, his role is to push Derrick Rose in practice.
Joakim Noah
Height, weight, position:
6-11, 232, C.
Age, experience, college:
26, 4 seasons, Florida.
Contract status:
Entering first season of five-year, $60 million extension signed in October 2010.
2010-11 averages:
11.7 points, 10.4 rebounds, 32.8 minutes, 52.5 percent shooting, 48 games.
A look back:
Played at All-Star level before undergoing thumb surgery to repair torn ligament in December. Never regained offensive form but continued to rebound and defend.
A look ahead:
Underrated offensive player because of his ability to facilitate offense from high post. Must stay healthy and play more games than last season.
Derrick Rose
Height, weight, position:
6-3, 190, G.
Age, experience, college:
23, 3 seasons, Memphis.
Contract status:
Poised to sign a five-year, $94 million maximum extension and will make prorated portion of $6,993,708 this season.
2010-11 averages:
25 points, 7.7 assists, 37.4 minutes, 44.5 percent shooting, 81 games.
A look back:
Became youngest MVP in NBA history after transcendent season in which he led team in scoring 54 times and assists 70 times. Improved range to 3-point distance.
A look ahead:
The addition of Richard Hamilton could drop his scoring, which is fine with a player who prefers to defer. Otherwise, he’ll continue to be counted on for leadership and big plays.
Brian Scalabrine
Height, weight, position:
6-9, 235, F.
Age, experience, college:
33, 10 seasons, USC.
Contract status:
Signed for non-guaranteed, veteran’s minimum after spending part of lockout playing in Italy.
2010-11 averages:
1.1 points, 0.4 rebounds, 52.6 percent shooting, 4.9 minutes, 18 games.
A look back:
Actually began season in rotation before falling out and basically becoming player-coach. Knows Thibodeau’s principles and system as well as anyone and imparted knowledge as needed.
A look ahead:
Will again be used as practice body and coach on the floor. Coaching staff appreciates his work ethic and team-first attitude.
C.J. Watson
Height, weight, position:
6-2, 175, G.
Age, experience, college:
27, 4 seasons, Tennessee.
Contract status:
In final season of two-year, $7 million deal he received in sign-and-trade with Golden State. Team holds $3.2 million option for 2012-13.
2010-11 averages:
4.9 points, 2.3 assists, 13.3 minutes, 37.1 percent shooting, 82 games.
A look back:
Shot selection improved as season progressed and he settled into difficult role well — backing up the league MVP. Despite limited minutes, ran team and defended well.
A look ahead:
Minutes again will be scarce behind Rose, and the addition of Richard Hamilton drops his spot minutes playing off the ball alongside Rose. Can provide instant offense when Rose incurs foul trouble.
