Roman Modrowski of the Chicago Sun-Times reports: It might seem unusual for a team that lost 61 games last season, but the Bulls don't believe they need to make a big splash in the free-agent pool, which opens today.

And that's fortunate because the talent level is a bit shallow.

''We'd like to add two veterans who can play,'' operations chief Jerry Krause said. ''There's no sense adding a veteran with a lot of experience whose game isn't what it once was.''

Krause didn't mention Charles Oakley by name, but he's one veteran free agent who won't be getting a call from the Bulls.

The fact is, the Bulls believe they are set at as many as four positions, with center Eddy Curry, power forward Tyson Chandler, small forward/shooting guard Jalen Rose and point guard Jay Williams. Rose will play either position not filled by shooting guard Trenton Hassell or small forward Eddie Robinson. Jamal Crawford also will push Hassell, and power forward Marcus Fizer will provide a key role off the bench. Krause believes Dalibor Bagaric could be a contributor as a backup center.

Of those 10 players, Rose is the only one with more than three seasons of experience. So the goal is to find veterans who can teach the younger players while still producing off the bench.

''Before the draft, what we talked about was a veteran point guard, a veteran up-front player and a defending small forward,'' coach Bill Cartwright said. ''From now through the summer, that's what we're going to have to address.

Krause said he won't bring in any players today as he concludes the process of hiring two assistant coaches. Will Perdue and Bob Thornton are two leading candidates.

But by the end of the week, look for the Bulls to arrange visits from Washington's Popeye Jones and Philadelphia's Matt Harpring. The Bulls also are talking about Houston's Kevin Willis, Denver's Scott Williams and the Clippers' Jeff McInnis.

If the Bulls decide to go with another veteran point guard, they might try to re-sign Travis Best, who also will consider Detroit and Miami. McInnis, Tim Hardaway and Kevin Ollie are possibilities.

Via Chicago Sun-Times

Chicago Bulls

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