NBA Rumors: Chicago Bulls after Jameer Nelson?
The Chicago Bulls are clearly after New York Knicks’ forward Carmelo Anthony, but have been in talks to acquire other players as well.
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One player they are interested in is Orlando Magic guard Arron Afflalo, who had the best year of his career last season. The Bulls have several assets, including young players like swingman Jimmy Butler, swingman Tony Snell and big man Taj Gibson along with two first round picks, the 16th-overall and 19th-overall selections and the expiring deal of power forward Carlos Boozer.
One player they also could take back in a deal is Magic point guard Jameer Nelson.
Steve Kyler was asked about the Bulls taking back Nelson’s contract as part of a deal for Afflalo.
"ColinGood Morning Mr Kyler.Do you think it is possible that Chicago’s interest in trading with Orlando has as much to do with acquiring Nelson’s partially guaranteed deal as it does to do with acquiring Afflalo?Perhaps the Knicks would be more interested in a deal built around Nelson + Gibson for Melo than they would Boozer for Melo.Steve KylerVery much.The problem is Orlando would have to take back about $15 million in salary to make it happen now. Not sure they do that unless they get both of the Bulls picks too."
The final year of Nelson’s deal is worth $8 million, but he can be paid $2 million to simply walk away. Nelson averaged 12.1 points, 7.0 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game while shooting 39.4% from the field, 34.8% from beyond the arc and 85.7% from the free throw line.
Nelson has spent his entire 10-year career with the Magic.