[2][3][4][5][6] During the off-season, the team signed free agents Ron Mercer,[7][8] and Brad Miller.
However, Duncan re-signed with San Antonio, Hill accommodated his wife's desires to go to Orlando, and McGrady and Jones both opted to play near their home towns.
“It wasn't so much a rejection of Chicago,” Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf stated, “as it was other considerations that compelled these individuals to make the decisions that they made to play for the teams they chose to play with.” Thus, the Bulls changed gears and focused on rebuilding through the draft and with youth.
Other notable off-season acquisitions included the signing of free agents Ron Mercer (Aug. 2), and Brad Miller (Sept.
[16] Opening the season with the youngest roster in NBA history—an average of 22.9 years of age and seven rookies—isn't typically a recipe for success in the league.