We all know the narrative to this point; “Bulls don’t have any money this offseason”. Well, it’s true. As you can see on the salary list, there is no wiggle room.The Bulls are actually headed into luxury tax this season, so improving through free agency isn’t much of an option. At best, the Bulls can offer a Mike Dunleavy Jr caliber player a mini mid-level exception. Looking at how strong the Cavaliers looked this season without their two Allstars; it’s safe to say the Bulls need to add more than just a MMLE player to get over the hump. The Bulls current roster could get past the Cavilers, but a whole lot would have to go their way in order to do so. If you look at the Bulls roster you can break it down into two groups. Group 1 being a handful of guys you absolutely don’t want to trade. Group 2 you have another handful of guys that you know have no trade value. That leaves you with two players that have some trade value: Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson. Here’s a list of 3 trade scenarios the Bulls should take a look at this offseason in order to make a strong title push.
Sacramento Kings get: Joakim Noah, Tony Snell
Chicago Bulls get: Rudy Gay, Ryan Hollins
With the feeling DeMarcus Cousins won’t be returning to the Kings, it makes sense for them to be looking for a serviceable replacement. The only appealing thing about Joakim Noah is his expiring contact. The Bulls can risk heading into 2016 free agency with another “hit and miss” attempt at a star, or they can take the safer route to build a win-now team. Giving up Tony Snell is probably the toughest part for Bulls fans to come to terms with, but Rudy Gay would provide a significantly larger role in a win-now team than Tony Snell. Gay is long, athletic, and has a knack for scoring the ball. His uptempo style would flourish under Fred Hoiberg. Kings have made it public that Gay is on the trade market; the least the Bulls can do is make a phone call.
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Houston Rockets get: Taj Gibson
Chicago Bulls get: Trevor Ariza
This is probably the fairest win-win trade scenario out there. Both contracts are very fair and almost identical. This trade scenario helps out both teams in a big way. First, for the Rockets they’re able to get good size down low. The 2015 playoffs showed they were lacking size in the paint at times. Taj would make the Rockets significantly better on the boards. The Rockets acquired the rookie sensation KJ McDaniels last season and already have Corey Brewer and Josh Smith on the roster; losing Ariza but gaining Taj would balance out for them.
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Toronto Raptors get: Taj Gibson
Chicago Bulls get: Terrance Ross
For the Bulls, this is a trade you must pull a trigger on if it’s available. The Raptors are reportedly shopping Terrance Ross because they feel reluctant to give him a deal next summer when he hits free agency. This would be the ultimate win-now trade because it frees up cap space big time. The Bulls could go after a mid-level player after the addition of Ross. The Bulls would become a lethal perimeter defensive team with Butler and Ross leading the way. Not to mention Ross’ ability to shoot he 3-ball would fit perfectly like a puzzle piece under Hoiberg’s system. Why would Raptors want to make this trade? Well, for starters, they can move on from the Hansbrough project. Taj Gibson would help tremendously and could find himself as a starter on the Raptors. If Raptors aren’t willing to pay Ross next year, it would be ideal for them to trade for a Gibson caliber talent while they still can.
