Bulls Rumors: Dennis Schroder, Paul Millsap Names to Watch Before NBA Trade Deadline
The Chicago Bulls reportedly could be players for guard Dennis Schroder and forward Paul Millsap leading up to the Feb. 10 trade deadline.
On Wednesday's episode of the HoopsHype Podcast, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype classified Schroder as a "name to watch" for Chicago if the Boston Celtics decide to trade him.
Scotto also noted that Millsap could be on Chicago's radar if the Brooklyn Nets buy him out following the moves they make at the deadline.
Chicago undoubtedly needs some backcourt help with a pair of key players on the shelf.
Starting point guard Lonzo Ball is out with a torn meniscus in his knee that required surgery, while shooting guard Alex Caruso recently underwent surgery to repair a fractured wrist.
With neither player particularly close to returning, Schroder could be a quality fill-in with the capability of moving into a sixth man role if one or both of Ball and Caruso return.
Schroder had to settle for a one-year contract in free agency, meaning Boston could be open to trading him rather than possibly losing him for nothing during the offseason.
In 45 games this season, including 25 starts, the 28-year-old German is averaging 14.6 points, 4.4 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.4 three-pointers made, which are numbers that are right in line with his career averages.
Two of Schroder's best seasons came in 2018-19 and 2019-20 with the Oklahoma City Thunder when current Bulls head coach Billy Donovan was serving as OKC's head coach.
Schroder was especially good in 2019-20, averaging 18.9 points, 4.0 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 1.9 three-pointers made per game.
Given his familiarity with Donovan, Schroder could be a great fit in Chicago and a solid offensive option alongside Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan.
Millsap, who is on the verge of turning 37, is a four-time All-Star but seems to be nearing the end of his career.
The former Utah Jazz, Atlanta Hawks and Denver Nuggets star has appeared in only 24 games this season, averaging a career-low 3.4 points and 3.7 rebounds in 11.3 minutes per contest.
That production is far off Millsap's solid career averages of 13.5 points and 7.1 rebounds per game.
The Bulls wouldn't need that level of statistical output from Millsap, but he could help Chicago's frontcourt depth significantly, especially with both Derrick Jones Jr. and Patrick Williams out due to injury.
There isn't a ton of quality depth behind center Nikola Vucevic, but Millsap could help change that if Brooklyn cuts him loose.
Millsap is a prime buyout candidate given how things haven't worked out between him and the Nets, so it stands to reason that the Bulls will have a chance to add him to the fold at some point.
There is little doubt that the Bulls will be buyers around the deadline, as they are first in the Eastern Conference at 32-18 after missing the playoffs in the past four seasons.
