Bulls Rumors: Arron Afflalo Trade Would Bring Necessary Boost for Chicago

The Chicago Bulls might not want to be aggressive at the NBA trade deadline, but going after Arron Afflalo would be a smart move for the squad.

Afflalo has been one of the hottest names on the trading block this winter, with just about everyone involved in discussion. Ramona Shelburne of ESPN provided a look at the teams currently discussing a move:

Among those teams are the Bulls, who Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders also adds are "sniffing around" in regard to both Afflalo and Wilson Chandler. They are reportedly looking to add a shooter at some point before the Thursday's trade deadline, according to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune:

The problem with the "wait and see" approach is there are rarely any difference-makers available for nothing. Holding firm on the idea of not trading away assets also limits the potential of an effective move.

In reality, Afflalo is someone who could really help this team immediately. Although his shooting numbers have dropped this season (42.8 percent from the field, 33.7 percent from three-point range), he is a 38.4 career shooter from the outside and hit 42.7 percent of his shots from behind the arc last season.

Besides just being a quality shooter, the 29-year-old guard could be a veteran presence to lead the second unit, giving the squad some much-needed scoring off the bench. While Aaron Brooks has played well this year, Afflalo has the offensive talent to win some games on his own.

When the playoffs roll around, the Bulls will certainly need someone to be a consistent fourth option behind Jimmy Butler, Derrick Rose and Pau Gasol, and Afflalo could be that person.

Meanwhile, Afflalo has the talent to be a good defender, although he hasn't been put in great defensive systems in recent years. Chicago coach Tom Thibodeau is likely to get the most out of his length and quickness to turn him into an above-average stopper.

The Eastern Conference is deeper than it has been in recent years, and the Bulls will need to keep improving if they want to challenge for a title. The Atlanta Hawks and Toronto Raptors don't seem to be going away, while the star power of the Washington Wizards and Cleveland Cavaliers will keep those teams near the top of the standings all year.

Adding an instant impact player like this will be worth the potentially high price tag.

On the other hand, it doesn't seem as though the cost for Afflalo would be over the top, despite the interest from around the league. Although Grantland's Zach Lowe initially reported it would take multiple first-round picks to acquire the guard, Christopher Dempsey of The Denver Post noted the price has gone down:

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Afflalo’s contract has a player option after this season, which teams have targeted as an opportunity to get a highly productive player at a cheaper cost. The Nuggets want a mid-to-late first-round pick for Afflalo, which others so far have rolled their eyes at, not ready to give up a pick that high for a player that could walk on them at the end of the season.

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ESPN's Marc Stein also adds the Nuggets are likely to get rid of him in some way:

Assuming the rest of the league balks at the idea of multiple first-rounders, the Bulls could get involved for what would be a very late first-round pick. If things go well, this could be the very last pick in the first round.

Additionally, it's important to remember Chicago could be getting a first-round pick from the Sacramento Kings if the pick lands outside the top 10. This possibility gives the squad some insurance in case things go terribly wrong.

Either way, you sometimes need to take risks if you want to play for a championship. Even with the recent success of Tony Snell, Afflalo represents a safe option who could put this group over the top as we head for the home stretch of the season.

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