If you’re as big a Chicago Bulls fan as I am, you’ve heard a fair share of fans demanding the Bulls amnesty Carlos Boozer.

To many, Game 6 of this year’s playoffs was the proverbial last straw for Boozer. To put it mildly, he was ineffective, serving as a cheerleader while back-up power forward Taj Gibson took over for him. Boozer spent the last minutes of the 2011-12 season on the bench with Brian Scalabrine and Mike James, and for good reasons.

However, the call for Boozer’s head (and/or amnesty), does little to improve the Bulls’ situation for next season. Gar Forman seems to realize that fact, assuring fans that Boozer will be back next year.

While many fans see a litany of reasons for the Bulls to unload Boozer’s massive contract, this summer may not be the best time.

With Derrick Rose out for 8-12 months and Luol Deng postponing wrist surgery to play in the London Olympics this summer, the Bulls must face a gaping hole in their offense. With their first and second scoring options out for a large part of the 2012-13 season, Chicago needs someone capable of posting big numbers on offense.

Because the Bulls lack any other viable scoring threats, Boozer is going to become their number one option next year. He will be the focal point of the team’s offense, and is therefore a necessity.

It is important to remember that in the five games that Boozer played 40-plus minutes this year, he average 21 points and 11 rebounds. The increase in playing time next season will serve as a true measure of Boozer’s potential.

Although Taj Gibson has developed into a solid backup for Boozer, he is not the offensive threat that Chicago needs. The Bulls do have a very valuable asset in Nikola Mirotic, who the Bulls acquired from Minnesota last year. At only 21 years old, Mirotic has proven himself a solid scorer and defender.

However, it is unlikely that the Bulls bring Mirotic to the NBA for another year or two. By keeping Boozer for the next year, the Bulls can give Taj Gibson an opportunity to prove his worth as a starter with minimal risk.

By cutting Boozer, Gibson will be immediately cast into a starting role which he may not be ready for. It’s important to avoid basing decisions on hype; and although Gibson played phenomenally in the Sixers series, his success is still not absolute. As for Boozer, his poor performance in the playoffs is not necessarily indicative of his usual play. At many points this season, his offense saved the Bulls.

Financially, amnestying Boozer will do little to help the Bulls as well. Cutting the $15 million owed to him next season would still leave the Bulls only $2 million under the salary cap, ultimately negating the chance of a substantial off-season acquisition.

Conversely, trading Boozer is not likely either. No team in the league will be willing to take on his contract, especially considering the amount of hate he receives in Chicago.

Realistically, the Bulls should simply grit their teeth with Boozer’s contract. By keeping him around next season, the Bulls are able to explore their options with Gibson and Mirotic. Should Boozer play poorly, they can amnesty him for the 2014 season and use the money to extend Gibson, who will be a free agent at the time.

Until then, Bulls fans can count on seeing Boozer on the court. To many, it may not be the ideal situation. However, amnestying Boozer this season could very well hurt the team more than help it. Instead of groveling about Boozer, fans should realize that his role keeps the Bulls’ future open and secure.

John Downen is a junior journalism major. He can be reached at 581-7942 or [email protected].