NBA Trade Rumors: Players Chicago Bulls Should Target to Replace Rip Hamilton

When the season began and the Chicago Bulls agreed to sign free-agent shooting guard Richard Hamilton, many around the NBA felt Hamilton could be the missing piece Chicago needed to potentially come out of the Eastern Conference on top.

It hasn't exactly gone the way Hamilton may have liked, though.

The former NBA champion has been healthy enough to play in only 16 of the Bulls' 41 games this season, which makes you wonder if his body can hold up for the rest of the season.

It also puts the Bulls in a very tough spot.

Even with all of the injuries to the likes of Hamilton, Derrick Rose and now C.J. Watson, the Bulls sit at 33-8 and have the NBA's best record.

With the depth that they have, the Bulls may elect to do nothing, which would please head coach Tom Thibodeau.

"If we don't do anything, we feel very good about the people we have," Thibodeau said to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune. "We feel depth is one of our strengths, and we have more than enough to win with."

However, on the other hand, it could be tempting to go out and attempt to land the extra scoring that Chicago may lack come playoff time. And if the Bulls elect that route, there are a few guys currently on the market who would be great fits in a backcourt alongside the reigning MVP.

A deal will be tough to make, but here are a few guys the Bulls could target.

Jamal Crawford

The best thing about Crawford is that he's got an affordable contract that pays him only $5 million this season along with a player option for next year.

He's a veteran that knows how to fit in on teams and he still has some scoring punch.

Sam Smith of Bulls.com writes that Crawford is one guy Chicago has interest in and could make a push for.

Ray Allen

He's the popular choice among all teams in search of perimeter scoring, but a deal is very unlikely and would almost cost the Bulls the No. 1 pick obtained from Charlotte in the Tyrus Thomas trade.

O.J. Mayo

Again, another popular name to throw around this time of the season, but with the Grizzlies playing very well and Mayo settling in nicely in his bench role, they are very unlikely to deal him unless someone overpays.

Anthony Morrow

Here's a guy I like for the Bulls if they were to make a move at the deadline.

Morrow's affordable, and while he's not really a playmaker he can shoot the ball and could provide a nice scoring option off the bench when Hamilton's healthy

There are plenty of other names you can throw around, but it all comes down to if there is a deal to be made.

Given the circumstances involving most of these guys, it's probably unlikely they will be able to make something happen.