The Chicago Bulls have faced disappointment the past two seasons. While they have quality talent on the roster, they are just one or two players shy from contending for a title. One of those players is Derrick Rose who the team is hoping can finally play a full season after back-to-back knee injuries. The other player is likely currently on another team. With salary cap space an issue, how does do the Bulls rebuild a roster?
According to Joe Cowley at the Chicago Sun Times, the Bulls are willing to pay whatever the cost is to rebuild their roster. NBA sources are reporting that the only player not touchable in trade talks is Rose which means those trade rumors surrounding Joakim Noah might be more true and originally assumed. So, Carlos Boozer, Jimmy Butler and Taj Gibson are all on the block and available for offers.
Much to Chicago fan's dismay, Noah's name continues to pop up in trade package reports as the official offseason approaches. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year, would certainly get interest on the market. With Kevin Love being a trade target, the Minnesota Timberwolves would certainly accept Noah in return. The Bulls have offered Gibson and Butler for the forward, but no word on if Minnesota deems that a fair deal or not.
Cowley reports that right now the Love trade is Plan B, with Carmelo Anthony being Plan A. He would just require a clearing of the cap space and not a trade. The Bulls are prepared to use their amnesty clause on Boozer if a trade does not present itself which would help get Anthony. The team could also seek some kind of sign-and-trade in order to lessen the burden of getting the Knicks guard. However, if Noah is somehow traded, do not expect Anthony to be knocking on Chicago's door.
The Bulls have other options if Plan A and B fail. The team has been looking at other cheaper free agents like Luol Deng and Lance Stephenson if Anthony and Love are unavailable. Tom Thibodeau never wanted to get rid of Deng in the first place and Stephenson does not have the recent stats to warrant a top-dollar deal. Chicago would still need to clear space in order to land either player.
In the end, Chicago will have to sacrifice assets to get a marquee player capable of helping win a championship. Losing Noah or Gibson would certainly be a blow. Boozer is good as gone, but a release is more likely than a trade. Chicago wants to improve the roster, but at what cost are they willing to do so?