Derrick Rose feared the Chicago Bulls would consider tanking the season after he went down with another season-ending knee injury. While Chicago denied the idea, Rose's fears could come true. The team entered the preseason as contenders to win the East over the Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers as Rose was back from an ACL tear. Now, they are looking at cleaning house and it starts with Luol Deng and Carlos Boozer.
Right now, the Bulls are four games under .500 and it is hard to believe they will be a contending team with their current roster. Miami and Indiana have the East on lockdown and the Bulls' 14-18 record do not offer much hope for improvement. According to Mitch Lawrence of the New York Daily News, this has left the Chicago Bulls considering reworking their current roster and could possibly cut ties with both Deng and Boozer.
The Bulls have been searching for a trade deal involving Deng before the February deadline. The team has gone back and forth on whether or not to shop the forward considering he is a free agent at the end of the season and will request a top-dollar extension. Deng appears gone no matter what. If a trade does not occur, it seems highly unlikely the team pays him a new contract after negotiations failed to work our during the 2013 offseason. But what about Boozer?
The forward could fall into the second part of the team's house cleaning. Lawrence reports the Bulls are considering using their amnesty move on Boozer who is owed $16.8 million next season. Boozer has since disappeared from elite status. While dealing with numerous injuries, he averaging 14.7 points and 8.6 rebounds in 30.2 minutes of play.
If Lawrence is right, it is likely Rose will not be thrilled. It was earlier reported the point guard had confided in several teammates his fear that the Bulls would let key players leave in order rebuild the program. While the Bulls certainly want to keep their franchise player happy, realistic thinking must start.
Both Deng and Boozer are on the wrong end of the NBA age scale. Both have seen their numbers trend downwards as injuries have headlined their recent seasons rather than impressive stats. While both might be able to hold their own against LeBron James or Pau George now, there is no guarantee for the future. The Bulls are ready to get younger and Boozer and Deng could be the first two out.
