The Chicago Bulls still have questions surrounding the return of Derrick Rose and whether he can compete at a high level both physically and mentally. Rose is coming off two devastating knee injuries and has not played consistently since the lockout-shortened season in 2011-12. Even though he looked spectacular during international play, the former MVP still has a long road to travel before he is officially back.

Chicago is in a position to compete for an NBA title if Rose can return to even a fraction of his former self. The squad has spent the last few seasons molding its core players into playoff-hardened veterans with a tough-as-nails attitude on both sides of the ball, and the only piece Chicago is missing is an elite point guard to run the ship. Let's take a closer look at Chicago's 2014 futures odds with predictions and analysis. All odds come from Sportsbook.ag.

2014 Chicago Bulls Betting Story Lines

Chicago is in the same position it was during the beginning of last season-wondering how Rose will return from injury while also sitting on title aspirations if he is healthy. The team, and its fans, believes they could have won or at least made an NBA Finals appearance by now if those knee injuries had not ruined nearly three seasons worth of basketball in Chicago.

The Bulls new roadblock will have the same face but be in a new uniform as LeBron James is now in Cleveland and trying to overcome the challenge of building his own title contender. Chicago, on the other hand, has a few new players and a returning Rose but will not have chemistry issues or problems making the team fit as Coach Tom Thibodeau, and his strong disciplinarian ways, will be the glue that binds the Bulls together.

2014 Chicago Bulls Additions and Subtractions

Key Additions: Derrick Rose, Pau Gasol. Doug McDermott

Key Departures: Carlos Boozer, DJ Augustin

Chicago may have missed out on its original free-agent target when Carmelo Anthony chose to re-sign with New York, yet it ended up with a better fit when the team was able to grab Pau Gasol away from the Los Angeles Lakers over the summer. The Bulls also drafted an NBA-ready shooter in Doug McDermott and seems to have all the pieces in place to produce an organic contender that relies more on playing as a team than on a couple of superstars doing all the work.

2014 Chicago Bulls Futures Odds

NBA Title Odds: +800

Eastern Conference Odds: +300

Division Odds: +160

Derrick Rose MVP Odds: +1600

Win Totals: 55.5

If a bettor is expecting Rose to stay healthy for the entire season, then every one of Chicago's futures wagers is an excellent bet. For those that may have forgotten, the Bulls were an NBA powerhouse when their star point guard was at the top of his game, and the team as a whole was a player or two away from knocking off the Miami Heat and winning a title.

The best two wagers on the board are its division odds and its win total numbers. Chicago was able to win 48 games last season with a roster comprised of spare parts and role players simply based on the strength of Thibodeau's excellent coaching and attitude. Even if you do not expect the Bulls to win the title, there is little reason to suspect that they won't be a well-oiled machine during the regular season and win 60-something games-which they have done during the last two full seasons that Rose has played (adjusted for the lockout season).

2014 Chicago Bulls Predictions and Futures Odds Picks

Record: 60-22 (No.1 in the East)

Playoffs: Eastern Conference Finals appearance

Division: First place

MVP: Third place

Expect Chicago to come roaring back in 2014. The team has the most talented roster it has seen since the Michael Jordan title years back in the 1990s and should pick up right where it left off three seasons ago when Rose first tore his ACL. Expect Gasol to be a huge difference-maker for a team that wants to grind out wins and bully opponents with size, strength and excellent shooting. Wagering on Chicago's championship odds are an excellent bet with great value.

Rose should be an MVP candidate all year, and the Bulls will play like they have something to prove-an attitude in which Thibodeau will instill in them right away. The team's win totals and division odds are the smartest futures to bet on. Cleveland, who is the division favorite, simply does not need to win the No.1 seed because they are being led by James, who is coming off four straight NBA Finals trips and is only concerned about building chemistry and staying healthy for the playoffs.

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