The Chicago Bulls didn’t have as successful of a season as people thought they would last year, missing the NBA Playoffs by just 2 games. Derailed by injuries and looking for a fresh new look around Head Coach Fred Hoiberg, the Bulls could be looking to move their one-time MVP Derrick Rose, in order to make room a different Bulls roster. There were rumors earlier this week that Jimmy Butler was the player the Bulls were looking to ship out, but now they’ve come to their senses, directing the rumors towards Rose.
According to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders, Rose could be on his way out of his hometown of Chicago:
League sources in Italy say the Bulls are actively open to moving guard Derrick Rose and that seems to be the first choice rather than shopping Butler.
Rose is entering the final year of his deal and has commented numerous times on the ballooning salary cap and his next contract, much to the dismay of the Bulls front office and a large number of Bulls fans. Add that to an on-again, off-again intensity and there is a sense that both sides would welcome a change, especially with Rose entering a free agent year.
But it was said a few times that the name being talked about most among teams and scouts in Italy was not Butler, but rather Rose and there is a sense that a team that misses on a starting-caliber point guard in free agency may turn to the Bulls.
Could Derrick Rose be reuniting in Minnesota with Tom Thibodeau and the youthful Wolves? Highly unlikely, but if the Bulls are looking to draft a PG of the future, the 5th overall pick would be a perfect spot to do so. With Jamal Murray & Kris Dunn expected to still be on the board around that time, the Bulls would be able to secure a young point guard to surround with an all-star like Jimmy Butler and hopefully a re-signed Pau Gasol. It really doesn’t seem like the Bulls would bite on a trade that consists of trading Butler, but for Rose, who has been inconsistent to say the least, after his consistent injury woes, could be a perfect fit for a team that is looking to finally find an established point guard. The Pelicans, Jazz, Kings, Nets, 76ers and Knicks are all teams that are on the lookout for a point-guard to lead the way for them. Maybe leaving Chicago is exactly what Derrick Rose needs to get himself back to MVP form, which is highly unlikely, but teams will be willing to take the chance.
