April 15--Cameron Bairstow
Contract status: Team option for 2016-17.
Stats: 18 games (2 starts), 1.9 points, 1.6 rebounds, 32.5 percent shooting.
Comment: A degenerative disc in his back shortened his season, and the former second-round pick's tenure as a solid practice player is unlikely to continue.
Horns: Down
Aaron Brooks
Contract status: Unrestricted free agent.
Stats: 69 games (0 starts), 7.1 points, 2.6 assists, 40.1 percent shooting.
Comment: The reserve scoring spark plug regressed with poor defense and fewer offensive eruptions and is unlikely to return.
Horns: Down
Jimmy Butler
Contract status: Max contract with player option for 2019-20.
Stats: 67 games (67 starts), 20.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 45.5 percent shooting.
Comment: He cemented his status as one of the game's elite two-way talents, and barring a blockbuster trade, he will return as a franchise cornerstone.
Horns: Up
Mike Dunleavy
Contract status: Signed through 2016-17 with team option for 2017-18.
Stats: 31 games (30 starts), 7.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, 39.4 percent 3-point shooting.
Comment: After making an initial impact upon his February return following back surgery, the veteran shooter struggled down the stretch, perhaps weakened by a stomach virus. His modest contract could make him a trade piece, but he's under contract to return.
Horns: Down
Cristiano Felicio
Contract status: Signed through 2016-17; non-guaranteed deal will become guaranteed.
Stats: 31 games (4 starts), 3.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, 55.6 percent shooting.
Comment: His mobility and athleticism helped the rookie finish strong, and he projects to be an affordable rotation piece.
Horns: Up
Pau Gasol
Contract status: Unrestricted free agent after he exercises opt-out.
Stats: 72 games (72 starts), 16.5 points, 11 rebounds, 46.9 percent shooting.
Comment: He became the first player since Kevin Garnett in 2003-04 to average at least 16 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and two blocks. But his poor defense and free-agent status make him unlikely to return.
Horns: Down
Taj Gibson
Contract status: Signed through 2016-17.
Stats: 73 games (55 starts), 8.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, 52.5 percent shooting.
Comment: The veteran turned in another selfless, team-first season and played through pain throughout, making his return on a value contract a certainty.
Horns: Up
Justin Holiday
Contract status: Signed through 2016-17.
Stats: 27 games (4 starts), 6.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, 43.3 percent 3-point shooting.
Comment: He added athleticism and scoring in a reserve role down the stretch, and with his guaranteed minimum deal, he will be back.
Horns: Up
Doug McDermott
Contract status: Bulls own rights through 2018-19.
Stats: 81 games (4 starts), 9.4 points, 2.4 rebounds, 42.6 percent 3-point shooting.
Comment: With his lack of defense and rebounding, he projects to be a scoring specialist off the bench. But when you can shoot like he can, that's not a horrible thing.
Horns: Up
Nikola Mirotic
Contract status: Signed through 2016-17.
Stats: 66 games (38 starts), 11.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 39 percent 3-point shooting.
Comment: He showed flashes and achieved very high highs. But his inconsistency and failure to run with a gift-wrapped starting role seemed symbolic of a lost season.
Horns: Down
E'Twaun Moore
Contract status: Unrestricted free agent.
Stats: 59 games (22 starts), 7.5 points, 1.7 assists, 45.2 percent 3-point shooting.
Comment: The Bulls would love to re-sign this dependable reserve, who can score, defend and handle the ball. But his solid season might have priced him out of the plans.
Horns: Up
Joakim Noah
Contract status: Unrestricted free agent.
Stats: 29 games (2 starts), 4.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, 38.3 percent shooting.
Comment: A second straight lost season started with him being lied to about a reserve role and ended with shoulder surgery. The Bulls will try to re-sign him but have work to do to soothe feelings.
Horns: Down
Bobby Portis
Contract status: Bulls own rights through 2019-20.
Stats: 62 games (4 starts), 7 points, 5.4 rebounds, 42.7 percent shooting.
Comment: The rookie needs to work on shot selection and may not possess the highest ceiling. But his ability to run the floor and score in bunches cements his rotation role.
Horns: Up
Derrick Rose
Contract status: Signed through 2016-17.
Stats: 66 games (66 starts), 16.4 points, 4.7 assists, 42.7 percent shooting.
Comment: Overcame a slow start to play more games than the previous three seasons combined. Needs to improve defensively but still has a gear most players don't.
Horns: Up
Tony Snell
Contract status: Bulls own rights through 2017-18.
Stats: 64 games (33 starts), 5.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, 37.2 percent shooting.
Comment: Kept getting chances and kept disappearing completely. Even if he returns, he won't be in the rotation.
Horns: Down
kcjohnson@tribpub.com
