OJ Mayo Or JR Smith On The Way? Chicago Bulls Working Out D-Leaguers

Fanhouse is reporting that the Bulls have invited four D-League guards to work out for them this weekend. The Bulls have room to sign another player, and it's possible that help at the two-spot might be the thing they are looking for.

But could it be a sign of something bigger?

The Bulls are in need of a shooting guard who can, as I frequently say, "shoot and guard."

None of the D-League players really promise to be a clear upgrade over the tandem that presently occupies the position—Ronnie Brewer, who gets the minutes, and Keith Bogans, who gets the starts. It makes you wonder if that's the whole story.

This is my thought, and not a "rumor," per se, as much as a concept based on numerous rumors.

The Bulls were said to be inquiring about J.R. Smith a while back, but those rumors went by the wayside when the Nets put the clamp down on the Carmelo Anthony talks.

Now talks have resurfaced, and the Bulls have yet to acquire a shooting guard.

There's not a practical trade that works out with the Bulls without sending a guard to the Nuggets for Smith's return. What if the guard that the Nuggets want is C.J. Watson?

Then the Bulls are without a legitimate backup point guard, though it's conceivable they could have Smith run the team while Rose rests.

The Nuggets may have an opening at point guard if Billups is involved in the trade. Such a trade would certainly involve other players and draft choices to work.

Still, such a move certainly creates a need to acquire a backup point guard. It doesn't make sense to me that the Bulls turn to the D-League to fill their needs.

It's just unlikely that the need they have could be filled. It makes more sense that they'd be looking to fill a need that has yet to be created. 

Smith isn't an entirely popular acquisition with the Bulls, due not so much to his potential as his rifts with current coach George Karl and a hesitancy to commit to defense.

Those are the same type of problems Karl had with another shooting guard, Ray Allen, a few years back in Milwaukee. It bears mentioning that Coach Tom Thibodeau was able to resolve those problems in Boston.

Another possibility: O.J. Mayo, one of the bandied-about players the Bulls have discussed, is being talk about in trades.

C.J. Watson would be a fit in terms of salary, though there would certainly be draft picks involved in this trade as well.  

There remains the possibility that the Bulls are working out players three days before the trade deadline merely by coincidence.

Or they may have simply given up on making a trade. The possibility that it's attached to a bigger move is worth considering though.