NBA Rumors: Chicago Bulls Eyeing Ray Allen And Stephen Jackson

Did a well-respected former NBA player reveal a Chicago Bulls secret? The NBA rumors regarding the Bulls are once again swirling.

Former basketball star Stephen Jackson is attempting an NBA comeback at the age of 38. Jackson, much like two other notable former players Ray Allen and Derek Fisher, believes that he can help a team win.

One of those teams Stephen Jackson thinks he can help is the Chicago Bulls. Going by an interview he had with Hoops Hype‘s Raul Barrigon, he or Ray Allen could land with the Bulls before it’s all said and done.

Stephen Jackson says Jimmy Butler and Rajon Rondo want him in Chicago. (Jax not a fan of Derek Fisher, by the way). https://t.co/RdpqKUiWFQ

— HoopsHype (@hoopshype) August 9, 2016

Jackson admits to Hoops Hype that two players on the Bulls have been in contact with him about joining the team. They are Jimmy Butler and Rajon Rondo.

“Well, actually not a lot of people know that Jimmy [Butler] has been calling me. We’ve been talking for like three months now. Even [Rajon] Rondo has been calling me, they really want me on the Bulls team. I’ve been talking to a lot of guys, because guys know what I bring.”

Jackson goes on to suggest what he could offer an NBA team.

“I’m a winner, I’ve been in the playoffs many years. Guys know I’m a great teammate, Tim Duncan called me the ultimate teammate. I know how to play good for the guy next to me. I’m getting calls and I will be ready and that’s the biggest part.”

If not the Bulls, Stephen Jackson believes that he would be a great fit for the New York Knicks as well.

Some interesting things came about Stephen Jackson’s interview. There were a couple of tweets from Chicago Chronicle‘s Carlos Douglas, Jr. that followed. The following tweets are hinting that the Bulls are considering signing either Stephen Jackson or Ray Allen.

Stephen Jackson told @JimmyButler "Y'all (The #Bulls) would be crazy to sign Ray Allen over me." Chicago does need shooting & more spacing.

— Carlos Douglas Jr. (@TheRealC_Los) August 9, 2016

Its interesting to wonder if @JimmyButler, @RajonRondo, & @DwyaneWade have reached out to Ray Allen about the #Bulls, who need more Shooting

— Carlos Douglas Jr. (@TheRealC_Los) August 9, 2016

Over the weekend it was reported by the Hartford Courant that Allen was “serious” about an NBA return. It was then that the tweet about the Bulls possibly being one of four teams with their antennas raised was posted.

The Chicago Bulls need more shooting. There is a little bit of shooting already on the team.

SG Ray Allen is reportedly pondering a @NBA return, & has spoken to Milwaukee & Boston. The #Bulls COULD possibly explore interest as well.

— Carlos Douglas Jr. (@TheRealC_Los) August 7, 2016

Nikola Mirotic will likely be the designated shooter in the starting lineup. Doug McDermott, Denzel Valentine, and Isaiah Canaan will be the firepower coming in reserve. Still, with four players who can make threes, a more consistent shooting presence is necessary. This is where having interest in the two veterans come in at.

Both Allen and Jackson are shooters who could be capable of turning back the clock. If the Bulls were able to add one or the other, it may get them into the upper half of the Eastern Conference.

The next thing that can be pointed out about the Chicago Bulls’ possible interest in Allen and Jackson is their respective ages. Ray Allen is a ripe and young 41 year-old. Again, Jackson is 38. Signing either of them does not make the Bulls young. In fact, the Bulls would jump to the middle of the pack in terms of average age. But it could make the Bulls a slightly better team.

If the pieces all fit with Jimmy Butler, Rajon Rondo, and Dwyane Wade, the Bulls will need a shooter to group up with the them. If the shooter can defend, it would work out better. That would make the best fit of the two Stephen Jackson. But as far as overall personalities go, Ray Allen is a player who has proven over the years that he is all about routines, teamwork, etc.

Allen’s well-publicized beef (courtesy of NBC Sports) with Rajon Rondo from their Boston Celtics days may prevent a reunion with the Bulls. That could give the edge to Jackson, or to a younger shooter such as Kevin Martin.

Something has to give as far as the Chicago Bulls are concerned. The roster is not complete, regardless of what anyone says. The latest NBA rumor is that of former basketball star Stephen Jackson confirming that he spoke with the Bulls’ Jimmy Butler and Rajon Rondo about joining the team. While he was talking, Jackson may have revealed the Bulls’ interest in Ray Allen as well.

Is the Chicago Bulls’ secret out of the bag?

[Photo by Rodrigo Varela/Getty Images]