Not only did Caron Butler chose the Clippers over the Bulls in free agency, but the three-year, $24 million dollar deal he signed with Los Angeles may make it more difficult for the Bulls to sign an alternative.

Jason Richardson remains an attractive option for the Bulls even if he does not excel at creating his own shot off the dribble. The veteran is a solid outside shooter and a dynamic finisher around the basket but ball-handling has never been a strength. The ideal candidate for the Bulls would be someone who can create his own shot and allow Rose to play off the ball more.

The Bulls are offering a midlevel exception worth $5 million per year, which is significantly less than Butler received. If the Butler deal ends up setting the market, the Bulls may need to look for a cheaper alternative than Richardson, who will likely command similar money.