Chicago Bulls Trade Rumors: 10 Shooting Guards That Make the Bulls Finals Faves
The Chicago Bulls have raced to the top of the Central division, and there isn't a team within the division that will challenge them seeing as they all are under .500 at the moment. That means the Bulls are pretty much guaranteed a top three seed barring a collapse.
Even though everything looks good for Chicago, the prevailing wisdom is that they are a player away from being serious contenders. Look at the roster and it's easy to see where they need to upgrade—shooting guard.
Kyle Korver is a nice player to bring off the bench to stretch the defense, but he is a spot-up shooter who doesn't create for others. Keith Bogans and Ronnie Brewer aren't the answer either at the position, making it more likely that the Bulls will seek to acquire a SG through a trade.
There are a number of quality candidates the Bulls could add that would potentially push them over the top.
Here are 10 that have a shot at doing so.
Richard Hamilton
1 of 10
Hamilton would be a perfect fit for the Bulls because of his ability to work off screens as opposed to needing the ball in his hands consistently to get his points. We all saw how effective Rip was with Larry Brown's Detroit Piston teams, and there's no reason that couldn't be replicated in Chicago.
Derrick Rose needs another perimeter scorer to join him to allow him more of a chance to focus on creating for others instead of having to score. The Bulls are at their best when Rose is running the offense compared to when he has to go into Kobe mode and jack up shots.
Hamilton knows what it takes to win, considering he's been to two NBA finals winning one. Adding a veteran scorer like he is would be a good fit for the Bulls.
O.J. Mayo
2 of 10
It doesn't appear that Mayo is in the long-term plans for the Memphis Grizzlies, which means he could be moved before the trade deadline. Mayo is a scorer—plain and simple. Coming off the bench this season, he's averaging a career-low 13.2 points per game.
Mayo has the ability to be a 20-point scorer, but he is on a team loaded with talent at the SG and SF position. If he goes to the Bulls, he would instantly give them a jolt in the scoring department and would ease the pressure off everyone else.
Everything isn't perfect with Mayo as his effort and character have come under criticism in the past. But purely basing this on the basketball court, this would be a good addition for the Bulls.
Monta Ellis
3 of 10
If Golden State decides to part ways with Ellis, the Bulls could be a potential landing spot. Ellis is a dynamic scorer, who is averaging 25.3 PPG this season. Many feel that Ellis and Stephen Curry cannot coexist together because both need the ball in their hands and are smaller, making it easy to exploit them on the defensive end.
Ellis would have to sacrifice some scoring if he were to be traded to the Bulls. And there's no doubt he would have to work harder on the defensive end along with getting others involved.
This move would be a bit risky seeing as Ellis is used to dominating the ball, and that wouldn't happen in Chicago. On paper, Ellis' 25 PPG would look good plugged in with the Bulls as they are now, but you have to take into consideration how he would adjust to being the secondary scorer at times.
Stephen Jackson
4 of 10
When motivated, Jackson is exactly the type of player the Bulls need. He's a long lanky player that is a good defender when he puts in the effort.
Jackson is also an established 17-20 PPG scorer in the league. Right now, he's stuck on a Charlotte team that is going nowhere any time soon, and the Bobcats have been rumored to be shopping him.
If that happens, Chicago should jump at the opportunity. Jackson is a feisty player who loves to compete, but he does come with a bit of baggage. There have been plenty of fines handed to Jackson this season for his inability to lay off officials.
On the court, he would fit in nicely with the Bulls. Jackson can stretch the floor, create his own offense, and on a team where he's not relied upon to be the primary scorer, he could thrive.
Nick Young
5 of 10
Young is averaging a career-high 15.2 PPG for Washington this season, but you wouldn't know as he often gets lost in the shuffle. If the Bulls are looking to add a scorer on the cheap, this would be a good option, although Young doesn't offer much outside of scoring the basketball.
But when you have Rose, Carlos Boozer and eventually Joakim Noah, that's all the Bulls may want out of Young. There is some character concerns with Young, who is still very young (no pun intended).
It wouldn't take nearly as much to acquire Young as it would a player like Jackson or Ellis. So if the Bulls want to tweak their roster instead of making a more drastic move, this would be a good start.
J.R. Smith
6 of 10
The enigmatic guard has continuously frustrated George Karl over the years, and it's time for both sides to split. Finding a trade partner is the only trick part in this equation because of Smith's lackadaisical effort he puts forth at times.
Putting Smith in a new city with new teammates may be what he needs to put it all together. Smith has great potential; the problem for him has always been consistency and a lack of focus.
The Bulls may just be the place where Smith could flourish and help play an integral role in bringing a championship back to the Windy City.
James Harden
7 of 10
If Chicago could pry Harden from Oklahoma City, he would finally be given the opportunity to show off how good he can be. With the Thunder, Harden has to take a backseat to Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook on the offensive end.
In Chicago, Harden would see his shot attempts increase and most likely his overall production. General manager Sam Presti isn't known for making trades. So acquiring Harden could prove to be very difficult, although the Bulls could offer Taj Gibson, who would give the Thunder some much needed size.
Harden is at his best with the ball in his hands, and with OKC, he'll never get enough opportunities to live up to his potential; that wouldn't be the case with the Bulls.
Rudy Fernandez
8 of 10
The third-year pro from Spain is an athletic scorer who hasn't lived up to his potential in Portland. It may be time for the Blazers to ship Fernandez elsewhere, and the Bulls seem like a good fit.
Fernandez fits in with Chicago's athletic roster and imagine how fast the Bulls could up the court if he joined the roster. It would be just another weapon for Rose on fast breaks.
The numbers for Fernandez aren't anything spectacular, but putting him on the Bulls would create more open looks for the Spaniard. At 6'6", he has the size to guard bigger SG's and the quickness to stay in front of smaller ones.
The Blazers have coveted Fernandez for a long time, but his lack of production isn't helping his case this season.
Courtney Lee
9 of 10
Many will remember Lee for missing a game-winning layup—albeit a tough one—against Los Angles in the finals a couple of years ago when he was with Orlando. Now, Lee finds himself a Houston Rocket—his third team in three years—and very well could be traded once again.
The Bulls have been rumored to be interested in Lee and have said to have been scouting him. While Lee wouldn't exactly scare other teams, he is exactly the type of player the Bulls could use. He's tough, gritty and not afraid of the big moment.
Lee isn't seeing significant minutes with the Rockets, so it wouldn't be a surprise if they decide to part ways with him.
Arron Afflalo
10 of 10
Another Denver Nugget SG could be in play for the Bulls. Afflalo is in his fourth year in the league and is the opposite of his teammate Smith. He has been praised for his defensive effort and overall work ethic in general.
There are plenty of positives to Afflalo's game that include being a solid three-point shooter, a defensive stopper and a high basketball IQ. All of the above are what the Bulls are looking for as they search to upgrade the SG position.
There are plenty of quality candidates the Bulls are looking at right now, but Afflalo is definitely one of the best options, although he doesn't have the name recognition as others on this list.
