Watson could be an option at shooting guard for Bulls

With speculation focused on free agents such as Jason Richardson, who would command most or all of the $5 million midlevel exception, or Vince Carter, who might consider signing for the veteran's minimum if the Suns waive him, another possibility for Bulls shooting guard is getting overlooked:

C.J. Watson.

Bulls management talked last season and through this offseason about playing Watson more off the ball in 2011-12, which would lead them to pursue veteran help to back up Derrick Rose at point guard. One possibility could be T.J. Ford.

Bulls management has liked Ford in the past, and he's represented by Arn Tellem, who's also Rose's agent. Tellem long has had a strong relationship with Bulls Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf.

Ford has played for three teams in seven seasons, missing 20 months from February 2004 to October 2005 after undergoing surgery to fuse two vertebrae in his neck. The 28-year-old, who played 14 minutes in the Pacers' first-round loss to the Bulls last season, is fully healthy and has averaged 11.4 points and 5.9 assists in 415 games.