NBA Rumors: Are Steve Nash and Jason Kidd Good Fits for Bulls?
With former MVP point guard Derrick Rose potentially sidelined for the duration of next season, the Chicago Bulls are looking into a number of contingency plans.
According to CSNChicago.com's Aggrey Sam, some familiar names may top the list of Rose's temporary replacements:
"While the front office may seek out minimum-salary veterans at several positions, including point guard, a source tells CSNChicago.com that the Bulls will take a run at future Hall of Famers Steve Nash and Jason Kidd in free agency, trying to convince the former All-Stars that they will have an opportunity to win a championship, of which Kidd has one, from last season with the Mavericks, and Nash has none, in Chicago.
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While it's still uncertain how much interest Nash or Kidd has in joining Chicago, there's nothing especially shocking about the Bulls floating such an idea. Frankly, it would be more surprising if they weren't.
Nash and Kidd are in unique positions thanks to their exceptional careers and narrowing windows of opportunity. The former is 38 years old, and the latter turned 39 in March. Both are well into the back ends of their careers and looking to make the most of whatever they still have left in the tank.
By all indications, Nash is in a better position to do just that.
The two-time MVP is coming off a campaign in which he averaged nearly 11 assists and shot 53 percent from the field.
He'd fit seamlessly into the Bulls' deep rotation and create countless opportunities for scorers like Luol Deng and Carlos Boozer.
Meanwhile, Kidd struggled through his worst-ever season by the numbers this year and looks to be little more than a role player at this stage in his career—likely a backup point guard for a contender. Reduced to a spot-up three-point shooter with still-impressive court vision, Kidd just doesn't have the quickness to do what he's done for so long.
He'll compensate with his intelligence and wealth of experience, but he wouldn't do much good for the Bulls unless incorporated into a platoon approach to the point along with someone like C.J. Watson.
The upside of either scenario is that both of these guys will be looking for short-term deals. The only potential hangup would be what happens after this season. If Nash and Kidd are looking for two- or three-year deals, Rose's eventual return could theoretically dissuade them from coming to Chicago's aid.
Ordinarily, you'd think a guy closing in on 40 would be happy to take a backseat when the time comes, but there's nothing ordinary about these two legends.
Assuming long-term pride issues didn't get in the way, either of these veterans could put a stop to Chicago's bleeding and anchor the backcourt while Rose continues his extensive recovery from knee surgery.
The Bulls would be wise to explore all of their options, including less-heralded options like Andre Miller, Jameer Nelson or Raymond Felton. But, with the exception of Miller, most of the available floor generals will look for long-term contracts and potentially more money than Chicago can fit into a cap exception.
That makes Steve Nash and Jason Kidd all the more intriguing. With championships replacing dollars as their top priority, the Bulls stand to make a pretty compelling sales pitch.
