NBA Rumors: Could the Bulls Find Help in China for Stretch Run?

The Denver Nuggets have almost single-handedly supplied the Chinese Basketball Association with an elite starting five. Wilson Chandler, Kenyon Martin and J.R. Smith are all locked in to contracts that prohibit them from joining an NBA team until the CBA regular season has concluded at the end of February.

Martin has already negotiated his buyout and is simply waiting for March to pick his next team.

Teams could feasibly sign any of them at that point as unrestricted free agents. Would the Bulls be interested in any of them to bolster their bench scoring? 

Each of these players will have collected funds this season from their play in China, so that and their desire to join a contender helps towards the notion that they would accept lower level deals. Most strong contenders don't have much more than the veterans' minimum to offer players at this point.

First and foremost, you can just about rule Kenyon Martin out. The Bulls really don't have a place for him. What's more, it seems he may be headed for the Knicks.

Meanwhile, Wilson Chandler has also mentioned he'd love to return to the Knicks. However, the question is, do the Knicks have room? I think, at that point, Martin makes more sense for them.

That leaves J.R. Smith, whose name has long been mentioned as a possible option for the Bulls. His shot selection and questionable attitude have caused speculation as to whether he's a good fit, but there is no denying that Smith is talented. 

He was actually briefly a member of the Bulls in the Tyson Chandler trade, but the Bulls released him immediately. His skill set is perfect for the Chicago bench as he is an absolute gunner that is looking for his offense.

When he's committed to it, Smith is also an underrated ball-handler and passer. Seeing as though the Bulls would only be offering him the equivalent to a veteran's minimum for an even more truncated stint, it would be low risk if he is interested.

The Bulls' second unit needs scoring terribly, and Smith certainly has the ability to provide that. He has averaged 12.5 points per game through his career, playing primarily as a reserve, while shooting 37 percent from three-point range.

The Bulls must seriously consider Smith and other options to bolster their bench and overall scoring.