NBA Trade Rumors: 10 Players Chicago Bulls Should Target By Deadline

With the trade deadline fast approaching, here are some players the Bulls should go after, avoid and hold on to.  Obeying these 10 trade deadline rules will improve the Bulls' chance for a title run. 

If the Bulls are going to make a trade, they should only give up a second-round pick and James Johnson, Brian Scalabrine, C.J. Watson, Ronnie Brewer, Kurt Thomas, Keith Bogans or Kyle Korver.

10. Best Player for the Bulls to Move

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PHOENIX - NOVEMBER 24: James Johnson #16 of the Chicago Bulls goes up for a slam dunk over Channing Frye #8 of the Phoenix Suns during the NBA game at US Airways Center on November 24, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges a

Does James Johnson have any trade value?  Johnson is a former first-round pick, who has failed to live up to the hype.  He was recently deployed to the D-League where he averaged around 19 PPG and nine RPG. 

These numbers are good, but not extraordinary.  If an NBA player does not dominate the D-League, that is a good sign he will never contribute to an NBA team.  If a team is willing to take a risk on James Johnson, then the Bulls better be willing to move him. 

9. Rasual Butler

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LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 27: Rasual Butler #45 of the Los Angeles Clippers shoots a jumper from the corner over Brandon Roy #7 of the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center on October 27, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly a

Butler is a 6’7" veteran with an experienced perimeter shooting game.  His length will fit Tom Thibodeau’s system on defense, but he is not as mobile as he used to be. 

Very few teams in the league will be able to match the size advantage the Bulls would have with Rose, Butler, Deng, Boozer and Noah on the court simultaneously. 

8. J.R. Smith

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DENVER, CO - JANUARY 13: J.R. Smith #5 of the Denver Nuggets celebrates a three point basket against the Miami Heat at the Pepsi Center on January 13, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets defeated the Heat 130-102. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowled

If a Carmelo Anthony trade happens, virtually every player on the Nuggets will potentially be available.  The more teams involved in this trade, the better chance the Bulls will have to scoop somebody up. 

J.R. Smith is a good perimeter shooter, and a reliable defender.  Bulls fans need to ask themselves: Is he really an improvement when he has a .425 FG percentage? 

7. Shannon Brown

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 25: Shannon Brown #12 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes up for a dunk against the Utah Jazz in the second half at Staples Center on January 25, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers defeated the Jazz 120-91. NOTE TO USER: Use

The only way this move could happen would be if the Lakers pulled the trigger on a trade for Carmelo.  In this scenario, the Bulls may have something of value that could facilitate the Lakers acquiring Carmelo, at which point the Bulls could get Shannon Brown. 

Brown is a solid player, but with his size, it seems unlikely the Bulls would have Rose and him on the floor together.  Rose plays so many minutes a game, it would be a waste of a trade if Brown only spelled Rose.

6. Ty Lawson

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DENVER - DECEMBER 28: Ty Lawson #3 of the Denver Nuggets dribbles the ball against Dante Cunningham #33 of the Portland Trail Blazers at Pepsi Center on December 28, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets defeated the Blazers 95-77. NOTE TO USER: User exp

The Bulls could use a better backup point guard, and Lawson may get moved if a Carmelo trade occurs.  Lawson is shooting very well behind the arc this year, and could possibly play limited minutes with Rose on the court. 

Adding Lawson would be interesting, because Rose plays off the ball well, thanks to his explosiveness.  Obviously, the Bulls want Rose the be the primary ball handler, but having Lawson at point for limited minutes, with Rose free to run the floor, will give defenses fits.

5. Players The Bulls Can Trade

If the front office feels a trade arises that will improve the Bulls, they should only be willing to part with James Johnson, Brian Scalabrine, C.J. Watson, Kyle Korver, Ronnie Brewer, and Kurt Thomas.  John Paxson, Bulls GM, said no trade will be made that alters the Bulls chemistry.  Based on what we have seen this year, the players above are expendable.  Probably in the order they are listed above. 

4. Anthony Parker

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MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 31: Anthony Parker #18 of the Cleveland Cavaliers brings the ball up the floor during a game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on January 31, 2011 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agree

Recently, there has been some claims that the Bulls might try to acquire the Chicago native for a second-round pick.  Cleveland is supposedly open to taking future draft picks in hopes of rebuilding the team. 

Parker is one of the most accurate three-point shooters in the NBA, and is reliable on defense.  He probably does not have many seasons left in the tank, but could help the Bulls on a title run.

3. Omer Asik

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 28: Omer Asik #3 of the Chicago Bulls puts up a shot over Ryan Anderson #33 of the Orlando Magic at the United Center on January 28, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Magic 99-90. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowle

A lot of people are saying the Bulls should trade Omer Asik.  This would be a big mistake.  His offensive game may be lacking still, but his rebounding, hustle and defense are not.  Asik has not gotten many minutes yet, but in the few he has he has excelled. 

Expect him to be part of the rotation during the Bulls playoff run because he should absolutely not be traded.

2. Luol Deng

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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 02: Luol Deng #9 of the Chicago Bulls goes up for a shot against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on February 2, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The Bulls won 106-88. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and a

The Bulls will not make a blockbuster trade because they will be unwilling to part with Deng.  Deng has been an unsung hero this year.  He has been consistent on defense, and contributed well on offense.  He averages over 18 PPG, and adds invaluable size to the wing.

Deng has been a staple of the Bulls starting five, and expect this to continue after the trade deadline because he is not going anywhere.

1. Not Carmelo Anthony

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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 20: Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets and the Western Conference reacts in the second half of the 2011 NBA All-Star Game at Staples Center on February 20, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly ac

Let's end the hoop dreams calling for the Bulls to trade for Melo.  Trading for Melo would recquire the Bulls to give up way too much.  The Nets are rumored to have offered four first-round picks, in addition to most of their roster.

If the Bulls have to give up Noah or Deng, they will be marginally better with Melo, than without.

Factor in the odds of Melo staying around next year, and the cost to keep him, and you reach a simple conclusion.  There is no way the Bulls should make a move for Carmelo Anthony.

Instead, they should be vultures, and try to scoop up any of the scraps involved in a trade for Melo.