NBA Trade Rumors: Bulls Reportedly Want to Move Luol Deng for Harrison Barnes

Understanding the need to get more athleticism on their roster, the Chicago Bulls would like to move up in the 2012 NBA draft by trading Luol Deng in order to take North Carolina's Harrison Barnes, according to Neil Hayes of the Chicago Sun-Times.

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The Bulls have had discussions with teams about trading Luol Deng for a chance to move into the lottery to pick up North Carolina’s Harrison Barnes in Thursday night’s draft.

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Don't get too excited, Bulls fans, as Hayes also writes that the team's best chance to start reloading its roster will come next season. 

Still, it is an interesting, creative idea the Bulls are apparently kicking around. Given that Deng has two years and $27 million left on his contract (per HoopsHype), it could be difficult for the Bulls to find a team in the top five to seven picks willing to strike a deal. 

Since all of the teams at the top of the draft—where Barnes will likely be taken—are all rebuilding, it does not make sense for them to add an expensive player like Deng and give up a lottery pick in return. 

Barnes is exactly the kind of player that everyone has said the Bulls need for two years. He is a scorer with an improving shot. He has the speed and athleticism to stretch the floor and would take a lot of pressure off Derrick Rose when he returns from his torn ACL. 

Just remember that this is all talk right now, as Hayes also writes, "Exploring options is what franchises do in the offseason." Give the Bulls credit for creativity, but actually pulling off a deal is going to be tricky.

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