The Chicago Bulls have long been mentioned as a team that could get active at the trade deadline after moving Luol Deng and names like Taj Gibson, Kirk Hinrich, Mike Dunleavy, Carlos Boozer and Jimmy Butler could be options for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Charlotte Bobcats or Indiana Pacers as the deadline gets closer.
The Bulls pulled off one of the early big moves of the trade season with their move of Luol Deng to the Cleveland Cavaliers and now that they are fourth in the east, they could decide to sit tight at the deadline. According to ESPN.com, there is a good chance that the Bulls sit tight at the deadline and this comes after reports of interest in Gibson and Dunleavy from a number of teams, including the Warriors and the Spurs.
Chicago is coming into the deadline playing well and one reason many feel they could trade players is the fact that Derrick Rose is out for the season once again. Rose isn't planning on coming back this season despite the rumors and that could spark the team to start a mini-rebuild, but so far reports have names like Boozer and Butler staying put. The Bulls have performed well without Rose in the lineup and after trading Deng, the team has not fallen apart and now they could try and make a run in the playoffs even though they have no shot at a championship.
While the Bulls are in postseason position, they realize this is yet another season that they won't be in the championship mix and as Rose gets older, that window is slipping away. The team thought Rose could come back healthy this season, but clearly that did not work out and now they have to figure out the best course of action after making the Deng for Andrew Bynum move.
The team has been speculated as one that could go after Carmelo Anthony, but without making moves at the deadline that will not happen. The Oklahoma City Thunder reportedly are looking for a deal that would help add a shooter to the mix and someone like Hinrich of Dunleavy could be an option moving forward. The Warriors want more guard depth as well and Hinrich could fit that move, while the Wizards and Bobcats have reportedly looked into trading for Gibson at various times.
Boozer has reportedly been told that he isn't getting traded this season and he could be on the move heading into next year and the Bulls come in with a number of picks in the draft and that could open them up to other moves. Boozer is already getting paid $15 million this season and $16.8 million next year and that could lead to a move or him getting amnestied, but that is for later down the line. The luxury tax is a number to watch with the Bulls and according to ESPN.com, Boozer has been told that he will not be traded unless they find a superstar deal and that doesn't appear to be happening. According to Pro Basketball Talk, the Lakers, Bobcats and Wizards looked into Gibson and now the Bulls have some major decisions to make at the deadline.
