The 2016-2017 Chicago Bulls could be a completely different looking team than what we saw this past season. Pau Gasol and Joakim Noah are both set to hit free agency and could potentially want out. Amid this, there has been a surge of Derrick Rose trade rumors. The Bulls may find themselves in a semi-rebuild this season in which they shop around for young talent and future draft picks to go with their new star, Jimmy Butler. Below are five potential destinations for the former MVP.
1. Brooklyn Nets
The Nets finished with the third worst record in the NBA this past season at 21-61. While they watch the Boston Celtics use their draft pick (at third overall), the Nets will either have to rely on a big trade or the free agent market to come back as a different team next season. A trade involving Brook Lopez to Chicago to take care of Rose's $21.3 million deal will solve the Bulls' big man trouble and could serve as potential upside for the Nets if they are able to add other big pieces.
2. New York Knicks
Despite finishing 13th in the Eastern conference last season, the Knicks are actually only a few good players away from the playoffs. Kristaps Porzingis had a huge rookie season and Carmelo Anthony is still capable of providing all-star numbers for the Knicks. If they are somehow able to trade for Rose while his market value is down and get him for a cheap price, next season may be the year that we see the Knicks become much more competitive in the East.
3. Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz making a move for Rose is mostly speculation but at the same time, it makes a lot of sense. The Jazz are currently loaded with young potential talent whose trade value is decently high across their roster. A trade moving Rose to Utah and a player like Derrick Favors, Rodney Hood, or Alec Burks to Chicago is not an impossible happening. Is this speculation? Yes, but it could be something to help both teams in the long-run.
4. Sacramento Kings
Rajon Rondo has made it perfectly clear that the Kings were a little bit of a circus. While it may not have been as bad on the inside of the locker room as the media made it seem, Rondo made it clear that life in Sacramento was not as good as he's seen before. Rondo said the following in an interview with Rachel Nichols on The Jump:
“There were too many distractions on and off the court. The organization as a whole, I don't think was together completely. I think as a team you have to want the best for the next man beside you, and that wasn't the case with the Sacramento Kings.”
Could Rondo's time in Sacramento be done? If this is the case, a trade for Rose could make some sense creating a new one-two punch between DeMarcus Cousins and Rose.
5. Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers appear to be stepping away from their original plan to #MixUpTheProcess. While they still have loads of young talent, the team has expressed interest in several different trades that would move these pieces elsewhere, speeding up the time-frame in which this team can be competitive. Philadelphia has expressed interest in trading Jahil Okafor or Nerlens Noel, which would work out great for the Bulls who could be losing their front-court options.
[button width=”full” button size=”bigger” color=”custom” align=”center” textcolor=”#ffffff” texthcolor=”#ffffff” bgcolor=”#8b0000″ link=”https://clutchpoints.com/report-bulls-will-only-trade-jimmy-butler-if-they-receive-andrew-wiggins-in-return/”]NEXT: Bulls will only trade Jimmy Butler if they receive Andrew Wiggins in return[/button]
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