There have been plenty of rumors swirling around the Chicago Bulls and potential trades this offseason, and while they haven't pulled the trigger on a deal yet, there is momentum surrounding a couple of moves heading into training camp and the start of the regular season. Here are three trades the Bulls could make this year:
3) Trade Taj Gibson to Lakers for Brandon Bass
Los Angeles reportedly inquired about Gibson during the 2013-14 season, but the Bulls weren't interested in what the Lakers were willing to offer for him. The problem here is that Gibson is slotted into a normal power forward role, and with the emergence of Nikola Mirotic and rookie Bobby Portis, Gibson could find himself as the odd-man out in Chicago's big man rotation. Bass would give the Bulls an elite mid-range weapon to open up much-needed driving lanes for both Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler.
2) Trade Taj Gibson to Knicks for Kevin Seraphin, two second-round picks
Chicago is stacked at the power forward position, but need some help at the center position. If Gibson is not going to play significant minutes, getting a promising young two-way center in Seraphin to back up Joakim Noah would be a smart move. New York is looking to get better quickly, so Chicago might be able to get a good amount in a deal around Gibson with the Knicks.
1) Trade first-round pick to Nets for Joe Johnson
Brooklyn has been trying to get rid of Johnson and his massive $25 million salary for this year for some time now, but if Chicago can convince them to pick up most of the tab, this could be a great move for Chicago. Johnson would give them a legitimate starter at small forward ahead of Tony Snell, Doug McDermott, and Mike Dunleavy, and could contribute nicely as a good three-point shooter and underrated defender. This is definitely a win-now move for the Bulls, but their championship window does appear to be shrinking.