"Whether you consider Ben Gordon's departure from the Bulls unfortunate or necessary -- or a combination of the two -- nearly everyone can agree on at least this much:

Replacing Gordon's 20 points a game will be a challenge during the upcoming season.

Sure, Gordon was one-dimensional and no better than mediocre at any aspect of the game other than scoring. Scoring, though, is the most important aspect of the game. Only 22 players in the NBA averaged more than Gordon's 20.7 points last season.

The 6-2 guard also was the team's best clutch performer, averaging 24.3 points during the playoffs and hitting countless big shots during his five seasons in Chicago.

The easiest way for the Bulls to fill the void left by Gordon agreeing to a five-year, $55 million deal with the Detroit Pistons would be by making a splash of their own in the free-agent market.

Plenty of options available

Even though they already are over the salary cap, the Bulls can use the mid-level exception -- which should be at least $5.6 million -- to sign another guard.

The unrestricted free agent that would be the best fit -- that the Bulls have a reasonable chance of getting -- would be Ronald ''Flip'' Murray. The 6-3 combo guard averaged 12.2 points for the Atlanta Hawks last season and would be a nice player to bring off the bench for a scoring spark.

Rodney Carney, a 6-7 swingman, is another option. He averaged 7.2 points for the Minnesota Timberwolves last season and should be ready to step up his game after three years of experience. Carney was drafted by the Bulls in 2006 before being traded for Thabo Sefolosha.

Anthony Parker probably is better known for being the older brother of Candace Parker, but he has made a name for himself as a pretty good shooting guard for the Toronto Raptors. He averaged 10.7 points last season and would be a nice fit for the Bulls' up-tempo style.

Trevor Ariza is the best guard/ swingman on the market, but he likely would be headed to a team ready to contend immediately for a title if he left the Los Angeles Lakers.

But even though there are attractive free-agent options, it's doubtful the Bulls will sign anyone this summer to a multiyear deal for anywhere near the mid-level exception."