NBA Trade Deadline: What Does The Chicago Bulls' Trade Of James Johnson Tell Us?

Today news came that Bulls' forward James Johnson was traded to the Toronto Raptors for the Miami Heat's first round draft pick.

While this trade appears to be fairly minor the on the outside, this trade actually has huge implications for the Bulls and, perhaps, the whole league's chase for a championship. 

This trade does three important thing for the Bulls:

First of all, it opens up a roster spot just in case.

Second of all, it rids the Bulls of Johnson's contract. It's not a very big contract, but now the Bulls have approximately three million dollars in salary cap room. This amount is large enough to now acquire Anthony Parker without giving up a player, among other players.

Third, this pick is an asset that the Bulls can give up for a player. The pick will likely be one pick worse than the Bulls pick, likely around 26. This pick does not have that much value to a team that appears to be on the brink of a championship. 

The inclusion of a late round pick appears to make it certain that the Bulls will make some kind of move, likely sooner rather than later.

So who could the Bulls be targeting? Here are some of the options:

O.J Mayo would be a great addition to the Bulls. He plays good defense and could be a focus for defenses to take away from Rose. In addition, the Bulls could trade two picks and a low salary player like Scal for him, or one pick and Taj Gibson.

However, because I don't think that the two picks will be things coveted by Memphis, I don't forsee this trade happening.

J.R Smith would absolutely be a nice player to come off the bench. He can create his own shot and score effectively off the bench.

However, the problem trading for him wouldn't be having enough assets, but matching up salary, which this trade wouldn't have any effect on, so I don't see this trade happening.

Anthony Parker would be a player who would be a better version of Keith Bogans. He is a great three point shooter and plays good enough defense, similar to Keith Bogans.

However, I don't find it likely that the Bulls would need two picks for him, so I don't think that he will be dealt for.

Courtney Lee is a player that I see the Bulls trading for in the coming days. He is a good defender and a good shooter, but doesn't get adequate playing time in Houston. He would be a nice player in Chicago's system, and could be a backcourt mate that Rose could play with for years.

The news was that the Rockets were hesitant to give up Lee, but it's likely that he would be sent off if they could get the right price. Two first round picks, even if late, could and should be enough to acquire Lee.

The salary would work out because the Bulls would be far enough under the cap to just absolve his salary. 

I think that Lee would help the team and could come at the right price, so I see the Bulls trading for him before the Trade Deadline.