The Chicago Bulls have been off to a good start this season, but with Derrick Rose in and out of the lineup with injuries along with Pau Gasol and Joakim Noah, the team may look at trades down the line and some names that could be targets include Greg Monroe, Dion Waiters, Jeff Green, Roy Hibbert and Cory Brewer, although the Bulls are not looking at any deals right now.
The Bulls were shorthanded with Rose and Gasol out on Thursday and they lost to the Sacramento Kings and now are 8-4 on the season. The team has been off to a good start, but earlier in the summer Marc Stein at ESPN.com wrote and spoke on SportsCenter about the potential for trades with the Bulls this season. Stein wrote that the team is satisfied with the roster, but that if Rose is hampered by injuries or the team gets off to a slow start, moves could be made down the line.
The team thought about riding for Kevin Love in the offseason and both Taj Gibson and Doug McDermott were mentioned in that deal and if they trade at the deadline, Gibson could be one to move. Gibson has been a very solid player for the Bulls and he is the backup for Gasol at times, but he also could be the best trade chip the team has. The Bulls likely will not want to move Jimmy Butler with the way he has played so far, as he has been leading the team in minutes and in scoring.
SI.com put together a list of names at the beginning of the season with players that could be traded and the Bulls may look at some of those names if they suffer some injuries. Greg Monroe, Dion Waiters, Jeff Green and Rajon Rondo all were mentioned and Rondo clearly won't be an option for the Bulls. Monroe has a no trade option in his qualifying offer deal, so that likely would be tough, but Waiters and/or Green could be options.
The Bulls likely will not deal with the Cavs since both teams are battling in the same division, but the Celtics could be an option for Green. Another Green in Gerald Green could be an option with the Suns, as the team likely will make a move to breakup their logjam of back court players. The Green's could be options since the Bulls likely would not have to give up too much, while Waiters is a player that could move if the Cavs struggle a bit in the middle of the season.
The Bulls are trying to be careful with Rose and the point guard himself is trying to be smart after missing out on two seasons with injuries. The Bulls are more prepared to play without Rose and the emergence of Butler has helped that along. Butler scored 23 points to lead the team against the Kings and he is leading in scoring average so far this season. Butler has been one of the main reasons why the team has gone off to a solid start.
