ESPN

As we get set for the Bulls season, let's take a closer look at each player on the projected roster.

Ronnie Brewer

Salary: $4,700,000

Role for Bulls in 2011-'12: Brewer is being asked to do exactly what he did last season. Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau wants him to be a spark off the bench as an integral part of the 'Bench Mob'. Brewer is certainly disappointed that the Bulls brought in Rip Hamilton to be the starting two guard, but he still plans on playing as hard as he can. If he continues to play that way on the defensive end, and extends his range a little bit offensively, Thibodeau will be happy.

What happened this summer?: Brewer spent a lot of time working out in his hometown of Fayetteville, Ark., and like most of his teammates, came to training camp in good shape.

Best-case scenario: Brewer uses the frustration he feels from being passed over for Hamilton to fuel him all year. He continues playing well defensively and earns even more minutes from Thibodeau by slashing to the rim a lot when he's in the game. The extra work on his jumper pays off as he's finally able to start knocking down some long range shots with a little more consistency.

"I just want to play," Brewer said after Tuesday's shootaround. It's doesn't matter what role I'm playing in. I feel like I've been working hard to try and get better, help my teammates out and try to have an increased role. [Keith Bogans], to me had a significant role [last year] he started, played hard, contributed. We got Rip now and we got to play off him and he's got to plat of our team. We're just trying to be better than we were last year and trying to win games."

Worst-case scenario: Brewer can't make enough shots to keep himself on the floor and loses a large chunk of his minutes to teammate Kyle Korver. He becomes more unhappy in his new role and can't find his niche.

Bottom line: Brewer will soon be entering into the third and final year of his contract next season. It only has a partial guarantee. He needs to have a solid year this year and he knows it. Either the Bulls will like him enough to guarantee it all next season or he will show another team he can play and may become a solid trade chip for the Bulls later in the season.