12:47pm: The deal would indeed be for the minimum, league sources tell K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Tribune.
12:00pm: The Bulls are close to finalizing a deal with free agent point guard Aaron Brooks, reports Marc Stein of ESPN.com. Mutual interest was reported between Chicago and the veteran yesterday, so the talks have apparently moved swiftly. The framework for the deal is unknown, but Chicago is likely unable to offer more than the veteran’s minimum for Brooks considering their other cap commitments.
Brooks would be joining his fifth team for his seventh season in the NBA by joining Chicago. He would be a natural replacement for D.J. Augustin, who signed with the Pistons after a surprisingly solid run at the point following the re-injury of Derrick Rose last year.
At 6′, Brooks has always utilized his speed and quickness to score at a high rate. He started every game for the Rockets in 2009/10, pouring in 19.6 points a contest. While the CAA client will have to prove his ability to perform up to coach Tom Thibodeau‘s defensive expectations, he joins a bunch of Bulls newcomers that are being brought in to lift Chicago’s offensive output for next season. Stein describes Brooks’ projected role with Chicago as a scorer off the bench.