NBA Rumors: Chicago Bulls Pursuing Free Agent Arron Afflalo from Denver Nuggets

According to ESPN, the Chicago Bulls are pursuing Arron Afflalo, the sought-after Denver Nuggets free agent, through a sign-and-trade agreement. Marc Stein reports: 

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"Sources told ESPN.com that the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers, despite possessing no cap space to bid for the 26-year-old swingman, will continue to press the Nuggets to see if they’re amenable to sign-and-trade discussions."

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Who precisely would be involved in that sign-and-trade is, as of now, a mystery. For that matter, how it would work is a mystery because I thought sign-and-trades weren't permissible with restricted free agents. But live and learn. 

One would assume that one of the Bulls' young big men, either Taj Gibson or Omer Asik, would be a part of the trade, as would Kyle Korver to make the money work. 

Certainly this has to have some Chicago fans pretty happy. Arron Afflalo has been one of the most popular choices among Chicago fans as a backcourt running mate with their MVP, Derrick Rose. 

Afflalo has all the right ingredients the Bulls are looking for. He can shoot, hitting .423 from behind the arc last season. He can guard. He's one of the most aggressive, active defenders at the position in the NBA, and that style works well with the Chicago Bulls' help defense style of play. 

There's also hope that if it came between a bidding war with Los Angeles, the Bulls would be able to offer more than the Lakers would. If the Nuggets are dealing Afflalo, it's because they are building for the future, and the Bulls have lots of young talent as well as Charlotte's pick. 

For now there's not much more to discuss, but it's something worth keeping an eye on.