The Chicago Bulls are one of the best teams in the NBA right now, but if they lose Derrick Rose, Taj Gibson or Joakim Noah to injuries they could look at some support at the trade deadline, as names like Brook Lopez, Greg Monroe, Roy Hibbert, David West and Gerald Green could be available in deals for head coach Tom Thibodeau.
The Bulls have been the top team in the central division this season and they currently have a lead on the Cleveland Cavaliers and could be title contenders in the east. The team has put up a great start despite dealing with various injuries, including to Derrick Rose, Taj Gibson, Joakim Noah and Doug McDermott. The emergence of Jimmy Butler is one reason why the team has played so well and many think they could deal with another injury to Rose because of how he has played.
But if Rose goes down or something happens to Noah, Gibson or Pau Gasol, the team likely will have to make a move. Marc Stein writes that there could be some options at the trade deadline for teams like the Bulls and Cavaliers, but it depends on what they would be willing to give up. Monroe likely will not be traded since the Pistons are asking for a high draft pick in any deal, while Brook Lopez has also been shopped by the Brooklyn Nets.
Brook Lopez has dealt with injuries himself in the past and he has been shopped along with Deron Williams by Brooklyn. The Pacers have had a very tough season and both Roy Hibbert and David West could be available at the deadline if that continues. ESPN.com reported that the Nets were looking to make trades with their main stars and while talk on that has cooled, things could pick up closer to the trade deadline. Lopez is just 26 and has plenty of potential and he comes after a four-year, $60 million deal signed in 2012.
The Bulls have a deep roster, but like everyone else they could always use some extra support and depending on how things play out in the east, they could look at deals at the deadline. Butler makes the team much stronger on offense, as they are now ranked eighth in the league in scoring with 103 points per game after coming in at 30th last season. Scoring is one area the team needed to improve and they have done that and they come in at ninth in points allowed per game this season.
The Bulls are 22-9 on the year after winning over the Pacers and they will play against the Nets next on the schedule. The team has won six in a row and they are giving themselves a nice lead in the central division. While the Cavaliers are still a major threat, they do not look like title contenders right now and they may have to make a move themselves to get things done. Rose has had a strong season while playing in 21 games and he is currently averaging 28 points per game and scoring 18 points per contest.
