Entering free agency, the Chicago Bulls‘ top priority was retaining Jimmy Butler. Butler broke through in a big way for Chicago last year and rightfully earned the award for the Most Improved Player. Butler provided the Bulls with a much needed scoring punch — averaging 20 points per game — and still managed to be an excellent defender as he was selected to the all-defensive second team for the second year in a row.

Butler was a restricted free agent and was expected to command a lot of interest from other teams. Chicago quickly informed Butler of the team’s intentions to offer him a max-contract in hopes that it would deter him from considering any outside offer. It worked. Upon learning of Chicago’s max contract offer, Butler cancelled all of his meetings with other teams. As soon as the moratorium lifted on July 9, Butler officially signed his five-year, $95.5 million deal. Butler’s two-way talent and desire to continuously improve his game make him worth every penny.

After locking up Butler, the Bulls shifted their focus to some less-notable players, but ones who were key contributors the previous season.

Despite strong interest by the Cleveland Cavaliers — including some lobbying from LeBron James — the Bulls were able to come to an agreement with Mike Dunleavy on a three-year, $14.4 million deal. A savvy veteran and member of the starting five, Dunleavy provided the Bulls with some excellent three-point shooting last year. It would have been a significant loss had he signed with the Cavaliers.

Most recently, the Bulls re-signed veteran point guard Aaron Brooks. Brooks is a great insurance policy for the oft-injured Derrick Rose, and he’s also a solid backup in general. Though his role was significantly reduced in the playoffs, Brooks appeared in all 82 regular season games for the Bulls last year and made 21 starts. He’s a potent scorer off of the bench and averaged a respectable 11. 2 points per game.

For the past five seasons, Chicago has been amongst the best defensive teams in the league. Unfortunately, their offense wasn’t up to par. With Fred Hoiberg, their style of play is almost certain to change. In his final three seasons with Iowa State, the Cyclones averaged 78.4, 83.5 and 79.6 points per game. The anti-Tom Thibodeau, Hoiberg will focus more on maximizing offense.

That’s why the re-signing of Butler, Dunleavy and Brooks were good moves. All three are gifted players offensively and should mesh well with Hoiberg’s style.

By re-signing three of their own free agents and not pursuing any others, it’s clear the Bulls’ front office thinks that that their personnel is not the problem. The Bulls may not have added pieces, but the team accomplished what it set out to do in free agency and ensured that Chicago will compete for the Eastern Conference crown next season.

Final Grade: A-

Derek McVay is a Boston Celtics and NBA featured writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @mcvay34, or add him to your network on Google.