Bulls Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz Surrounding Chicago Entering 2018 Deadline
After sending Nikola Mirotic to the New Orleans Pelicans last week, the Chicago Bulls will continue looking for ways to add more young talent ahead of the Feb. 8 trade deadline.
What might be next for the rebuilding club?
A few other potential trade candidates could be moved in an effort to free up minutes and further bolster the cache of draft picks, while at least one notable trade target also appears to be on the team's radar.
So with the vague overtures out of the way, let's dive right into the latest buzz surrounding the Bulls as we approach the 2018 deadline.
Jerian Grant is Still Available
The Bulls have been actively shopping backup point guard Jerian Grant for some time now in an effort to clear a path for a healthy Cameron Payne to get an extended look down the stretch, and he's still available, according to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune.
Grant, 25, is averaging 8.3 points and 4.8 assists in a career-high 22.8 minutes this season, and he has started 23 games in place of Kris Dunn, who is sidelined with a concussion and also missed time at the start of the season.
On top of his decent production, Grant is also still on his rookie deal, which will pay him a reasonable $2,639,314 salary next season before he becomes a restricted free agent in 2019.
So for a team looking to add some low-cost point guard depth, he could be an option.
Robin Lopez Will Cost a First-Round Pick
Veteran center Robin Lopez is an obvious trade candidate as a productive rim protector who could help a number of contenders.
With that in mind, the Bulls are asking for a first-round pick in trade talks, according to Michael Scotto of The Athletic.
Now, those talks are said to be "intensifying" as the deadline draws closer, per Johnson.
Lopez, 29, is averaging a career-high 12.4 points to go along with 4.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists per contest, and even with his block numbers down this year (1.4 to 0.8 per game), he's still a respected presence on the interior.
The 7-footer is owed $14,357,750 next season before reaching free agency.
Luke Adams of Hoops Rumors wrote: "A report last week suggested that the Bulls are seeking a first-round pick in exchange for Lopez, which may be a tough sell. Although the veteran’s contract isn’t toxic, he’s Chicago’s highest-paid player, with cap hits of $13.79MM this season and $14.36MM next year. In order to have a chance at a first-rounder for Lopez, the Bulls would probably need to take on a bad contract, as they did in the Mirotic trade when they acquired Omer Asik."
Cap space isn't close to being an issue in Chicago, so that's something that will certainly be explored if it means another first-rounder.
Rodney Hood a Potential Trade Target?
Reports that the Bulls are shopping Lopez and Grant should come as no surprise as the rebuild continues.
On the other hand, the team's interest in Utah Jazz wing Rodney Hood is a bit unexpected.
That's the report from Tony Jones of the Salt Lake Tribune, who wrote that the Oklahoma City Thunder, Detroit Pistons and Bulls are all "showing interest," while the Denver Nuggets and Orlando Magic have also shown "at least a passing interest" in the 25-year-old.
Hood is averaging 16.8 points per game—the second-highest total on the Jazz behind rookie Donovan Mitchell (19.3)—so he would give the Bulls another scoring option.
The 6'8" guard is also shooting a career-best 39.7 percent from beyond the arc while posting a 15.3 PER.
In the final year of his rookie deal, he'll be a restricted free agent this coming offseason, so it makes sense that the Jazz would be testing the market if they don't see him as a long-term piece.
While it's hard to see the Bulls parting with a first-round pick to acquire Hood, their interest is intriguing nonetheless.
All stats courtesy of Basketball Reference, unless otherwise noted. Contract information via Spotrac.
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