Bulls Rumors: Jamal Crawford Not Worth a Sign-and-Trade

The Chicago Bulls don't need much, but one thing they could use is a shooting guard who can put the ball in the basket.

There's just two problems: they're not alone, and pickings are pretty slim on the free agent market. It doesn't help that the Bulls don't have much cap space to work with...which I guess is a third problem.

At any rate, one player who's been mentioned as a great fit for the Bulls is former Sixth Man of the Year Jamal Crawford. He's an unrestricted free agent, and the Bulls are interested.

The only trouble is that Crawford is worth more than the $5 million mid-level exception, which is the extent of what the Bulls can offer him. If the Bulls want him, they're going to have to get creative. 

For example, a sign-and-trade maybe.

Or not. According to Mike McGraw of the Daily Herald, that won't work either:

I have a feeling I know what you're thinking.

The Bulls won't part with a guy who can only get them six points a night to get a guy who can get them upwards of 15 a night? Really?

Apparently not. 

Nor should they. Ronnie Brewer may not be much of a scorer, but the dude can defend. Brewer is a pesky defender who can frustrate just about any player in the league, and there are plenty of players in the Eastern Conference that the Bulls need him to frustrate.

Crawford can score, but defense is not his forte. Somewhat understandably, he saves his energy for his offensive game.

The Bulls could certainly use Crawford's offensive know-how, but let's not forget that the Bulls live and die by defense. Lucky for them, their defense is elite. There's a place for Crawford on the roster, but not at the expense of Brewer.

Is all of this to say the trade won't happen?

Goodness gracious no. The Bulls need some scoring punch at the two, and they may determine that they can improve Crawford's defense.

If they do, they'll be rolling the dice. Some old dogs just don't want to learn new tricks.