NBA Trade Rumors: OJ Mayo and Other Possible Chicago Bulls Guards
James Johnson being traded has certainly impacted the Chicago Bulls situation regarding their shooting guard shopping. It improves it dramatically for several reasons.
First, it gives them more salary cap space. They were already a little over a million under the cap. Dealing Johnson puts them further under the cap. After the trade they are about $2.9 million under the cap. Depending on who they trade, they could realistically, at least by cap standards acquire a player worth around $five million, depending on who they deal.
They could also acquire someone without trading anything other draft choices.
Finally, they could wait until the trade deadline passes and contracts are bought out and pick someone up without trading anyone.
I will present different players whom the Bulls are reported to have shown interest in and present the possibilities of acquiring them.
Anthony Parker
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Without Johnson in the fold Anthony Parker is now available without having to send any players. Reports on his availability are mixed, and some rumors have him retiring at season's end if he's traded. Some have suggested he might be available for a pick. Other rumors say that Cleveland wants to hold him until his contract expires. The latter are the latest.
My thinking is that Parker is past his prime, and past being past his prime. He's old enough to play for the Lakers! I don't see trading anything for him, particularly if he's retiring. On the plus side though he's a veteran with a three and playoff experience. His price is also right about where the Bulls cap space is at.
Marcus Thornton
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Rumors abound that Marcus Thornton is getting shopped by the Hornets. Initial reports said that they were willing to sell him for picks, but now reports are saying that picks are being offered for him. Thornton is young, and has a good outside shot, though it's a bit down from last year. However, with Rose breaking down defenses the way he does, Thornton could thrive with the kind of wide open looks that Bogan's frequently gets (and misses).
Rasual Butler
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Rasual Butler is another player that has been reported to be on the Bulls radar. Butler is in the worst year of his career, averaging only five points per game in a limited role. On the positive side he is in the upper thirties from downtown and is a respectable defender. With the salary cap freed up Butler could be absorbed just for draft picks.
Courtney Lee
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The Rockets have been shopping Courtney Lee, and the report is they are looking for a replacement for Yao Ming. In fact it is rumored they offered Lee for Bulls rookie center, Omer Asik, and the Bulls turned them down flat. In general the rule is you don't trade big for small. Some feel that rules were made to be broken. While Lee would be worth a couple of trade picks, I'm not seeing that he's worth Omer though. If he were an established starter, I might reconsider but he has yet to show he's a starting shooting guard in the NBA. He has shown he's a capable defender who can knock down the three with regularity though.
Aaron Aafalo Or J.R. Smith
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There has always been a possibility that the Bulls might make a deal for the Denver Nugget with a ton of talent and possibly a ton and a half of attitude to go with it. There's a lot of potential inn the young and versatile shooting guard, but there's a lot of potential for chemistry issues too, and the Bulls have been reporting it's something they want to avoid. Still, George Karl had similar problems with Ray Allen, and Tom Thibodeau solved those.
Another possibility is Aaron Afflalo, who is available for picks. While Smith would require a player to be included in the trade, Afflalo would not, and the Nuggets have a glut at guard now after the Knicks trade. His expiring contact lowers his value in his case as it's not going to provide much in the way of relief. He's averaging 13 points per game this season and shooting over 40 percent from downtown.
Richard Hamilton
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Yet another possibility is Rip Hamilton, whom rumors say may have his contract bought out by the Pistons. If that happens the Bulls would be far and away in the best situation of any team to sign him for the duration of the season. The Celtics also have interest, but with the Bulls being able to offer more money, more playing time, and arguably as real a possibility for a second ring with him, Hamilton could be a Bull shortly after the trade deadline.
O.J. Mayo
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There is the increasing possibility that the Grizzlies may be dealing O.J. Mayo. After the suspension and an apparent fight with one of his teammates, the rumors are that Mayo's days in Memphis are more numbered than the team is publicly stating. There have also reports that the Bulls have not given up on Mayo. In terms of what he can offer, Mayo is probably the best player the Bulls could acquire. While he's not as good of a shooter as some of the others, he has the most ability to create his own shot.
