Bulls Trade Rumors: Why Injuries Prove Chicago Must Make Deadline Move
The Chicago Bulls need to make a move to upgrade their roster before the trade deadline as injuries have demolished their lineup.
There isn't much time left and deals are tough to come by this year, but the recent rash of injuries proves that the Bulls need to find reliable talent that will be able to stay on the court.
The latest report from ESPN's Mark Stein:
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Bulls exploring avenues to try to trade for Lakers' Pau Gasol, sources close to situation say. Story going up now at ESPN online
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) March 13, 2012
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This is a deal the Bulls need to get done.
Gasol is healthy, which is more than you can say for many of the Bulls' current players.
Luol Deng is desperately trying to get his sore wrist in shape to play, but it's tough to overcome a torn ligament. After missing a couple of games, he played in last night's contest and helped to contribute to the team's thrilling 106-102 victory over the Miami Heat.
Deng isn't the only one fighting injuries, though. Derrick Rose is injured, and so is newcomer Richard Hamilton.
So how in the world will acquiring a power forward help the Bulls with their backcourt problems?
With Derrick Rose being a penetrating point guard, Gasol fits in perfectly. He is an excellent mid-range shooter with abilities that would flourish with Rose in pick-and-roll situations.
Gasol is a legitimate scoring threat that could be teamed up with Carlos Boozer in the frontcourt to give the Bulls better all-around scoring threats than they currently have.
Gasol will help the Bulls spread the floor, giving Hamilton and Deng more room to roam. It would also make opposing teams pull one of their bigs out of the paint to guard him, leaving the paint far more vulnerable to attack.
Even if Deng, Rose or Hamilton goes down again and has to miss more time, Kyle Korver, C.J. Watson and Ronnie Brewer will have a much easier time scoring with Gasol on the court.
The Bulls need to make a move or risk falling apart at the seams. Right now they are just holding on.
