Belinelli Hoping For Long-Term Stay With Bulls

Marco Belinelli's contract with the Bulls is only for one season, but the Italian sharpshooter is hoping to play in Chicago for longer than a year, as he tells Shams Charania of RealGM.com. Belinelli's goal is to share a backcourt with Derrick Rose, who cited him as the Bulls' most impressive newcomer in camp, for years to come.

"I’m here because I want to stay here long," Belinelli said. "I want to win and I want to improve my game. And it’s amazing to hear [Rose’s compliment]. For me, to hear something like that from the MVP of the team and one of the best players in the league, it’s unbelievable."

The Bulls signed Belinelli this offseason using the bi-annual exception, which played a part in hard-capping team salary at $74.3MM. If Belinelli has a productive year though, I wouldn't expect the Bulls to have an issue with re-signing him at a salary in the same vicinity next summer — particularly if the club parts ways with Richard Hamilton.

Belinelli, a former 18th overall pick, has already played for the Warriors, Raptors, and Hornets in his five-year NBA career.

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