Bulls Rumors: Derrick Rose Right to Call for Carlos Boozer Trade

Derrick Rose generally keeps to himself, but if he did ask the Chicago Bulls to trade Carlos Boozer for Pau Gasol, he's right to do so.

Marca.com reported on Sunday that Rose suggested to management that it trade Boozer in a package deal for Gasol. Chris Sheridan of Sheridan Hoops backed up the rumor, adding that C.J. Watson would help the Los Angeles Lakers point guard position.

Boozer is averaging 15.6 points and 8.3 rebounds while shooting 53 percent from the floor this season. In that sense, he's been valuable to the Bulls.

On the other hand, Rose and the Bulls are a defensive-minded team, and Boozer simply isn't a good defensive player, nor is he a good shot-blocker.

That has always been Boozer's weakness, which is one of the reasons he's bounced from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Utah Jazz before landing in Chicago. The ironic part of Boozer being on such a defensive-minded team is, the Bulls should have known from the beginning that he wouldn't be a good fit.

What has been remarkable the past two seasons with Boozer on board is that the Bulls have still held opponents to low scoring totals. That's more of a credit to head coach Tom Thibodeau, backup Taj Gibson and the rest of the team than Boozer.

It's hard to imagine Rose pressuring management, but then again, any competitive player who is unhappy about a situation isn't going to let it simmer. Rose can't tell management what to do, but the team does know he's their best player.

I don't see the Lakers making this trade (adding Boozer and Watson isn't worth losing Gasol), but I don't blame Rose for at least trying to make it happen.

Boozer is like the Bulls' shooting guard situation: a weak link on a title-contending team.