Bulls Rumors: Latest Info on Arron Afflalo and Other Potential Moves for Chicago
Would Arron Afflalo look good in a Chicago Bulls uniform? Most Windy City hoops fans would say yes, but a deal to bring him to Chicago seems far fetched.
Let's be clear: The Bulls are a team unlikely to make a significant deal before Thursday's NBA trade deadline. The roster the Bulls currently have is good enough to compete with any team in the league—if it is healthy.
Still, of all the potential trade targets, Afflalo is the one who could probably add the most to the Bulls roster.
According to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN, there has at least been some level of interest from Chicago in Afflalo.
The 6'5" shooting guard is a decent shooter, a solid athlete and a willing defender. He's averaging 14.5 points and making just under 34 percent of his threes this season.
Afflalo could be a classic 3-and-D player for the Bulls. His temperament and work ethic would seemingly align well with what head coach Tom Thibodeau demands.
He could also help to lessen Jimmy Butler's minutes—even though Tony Snell has played well of late. Because of Snell's recent emergence, a backup 2-guard might not be as much of a necessity as it once was. Perhaps providing some depth and insurance for Mike Dunleavy Jr. at small forward would be a reason to look into Afflalo.
Thibodeau seems to have lost all confidence in rookie Doug McDermott, so the backup minutes at small forward would go to Snell. It might be nice to have Afflalo as Butler's backup. He'd certainly be an upgrade over Kirk Hinrich or E'Twaun Moore—both of whom are combo guards.
The issue could be the compensation the Nuggets are looking for in return. The Bulls might not be willing to part with any of their current assets as they chase an NBA title.
That reluctance might lead the Bulls to be more active pursuing new free agents who have recently been bought out.
Potential Interest in Brandon Bass and Tayshaun Prince
Both Brandon Bass and Tayshaun Prince are candidates to be bought out by the Boston Celtics. If this happens, both men would be free to sign with another team for as low as the veteran minimum.
Per Sean Deveney of Sporting News who appeared on Comcast Sportsnet in Chicago, the buyout market could be a major focus for the Bulls:
"Whether it's someone like Brandon Bass from Boston or Tayshaun Prince. It'll probably be a veteran who will really solidify that bench, probably not somebody that will give them major minutes or anything but someone who gives them insurance.
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A cash-strapped team with an open roster spot like the Bulls could easily be interested in Prince.
He could fill the aforementioned backup small-forward role, and it would cost the Bulls a lot less than it would to pry Afflalo away from the Nuggets.
Prince is averaging 7.6 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. He's still a decent defender—though not the octopus he used to be—but his experience and versatility would seemingly appeal to Thibodeau and the Bulls for the stretch run.
If Chicago makes any moves near or shortly after the deadline, it'll probably be to sign a player like Prince.
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