Jeff Van Gundy doesn't believe that simply signing LeBron James would make the Bulls a title contender.

Van Gundy acknowledges that James would make Chicago better, but doesn't think they'd immediately be among the NBA's elite.

Van Gundy has been rumored as a potential candidate to replace Vinny Del Negro.

"I would say it's a very good job," he said. "If you look at it from the standpoint of they have at least a very good player, however you decide to [describe] Rose. Rose can definitely be the second-best player on a championship team, and Jo Noah, in my opinion, can be the third- or fourth-best player on a championship team. So if they add a guy who can be the best player on a championship team, then they're right there in the mix.

"So certainly, having that cap flexibility, making the playoffs the last two years, so you've gotten to see Rose and Noah in pressure-packed situations. That's a very good job. Chicago the city, Chicago the organization has proven itself to be very good."

As for whether a coach has to be in place to woo a prospective free agent, Van Gundy says that decision lies with the player.

"I think that all depends on the individual," he said. "James already knows how much money he's going to make. So that's not even the question. He keeps saying it's all about championships, so you'd think he'd want to know at least somewhat what [the team] is thinking about as far as a coach, but whether he'd have to have that specific coach in, I really don't know how he's thinking."