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NBA Trade Rumors: 5 trades Chicago Bulls need to make

By Tom West

Jan 18, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Chicago Bulls center Pau Gasol (16) celebrates with forward Taj Gibson (22) and guard Jimmy Butler (21) during the game against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Bulls defeated the Pistons 111-101. Mandatory Credit: Leon Halip-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 18, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Chicago Bulls center Pau Gasol (16) celebrates with forward Taj Gibson (22) and guard Jimmy Butler (21) during the game against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Bulls defeated the Pistons 111-101. Mandatory Credit: Leon Halip-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 20, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks guard Arron Afflalo (4) reacts after making a three-point shot against the Utah Jazz during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks defeated the Jazz 118-111 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 20, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks guard Arron Afflalo (4) reacts after making a three-point shot against the Utah Jazz during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks defeated the Jazz 118-111 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

Arron Afflalo

Arron Afflalo, with 14.2 points per game, a 37 percent three-point shot and a great mid-range game (49.4 percent from 10-16 feet, 46.3 from 16-24 feet), is an ideal offensive addition to give the Bulls some wing depth and improve their offense. Either by creating his own shot (he’s shooting 50.8 percent on pull-ups, per NBA.com) or spotting up from three, he can make a real difference.

Even though he has a player option for 2016-17, he’ll be in a key role with a better chance to contend than with the Knicks, so he shouldn’t be too set on heading straight for free agency when summer hits.

However, in order to try to bring in Afflalo by offering Gasol in return, there are a couple of issues that arise.

Of course, the Knicks have a lot of players filling up their frontcourt, so the acquisition of Gasol may seem puzzling. However, when accepting him as a replacement over the bench players they have such as Kyle O’Quinn, Kevin Seraphin, and as a clearly superior offensive player to Robin Lopez, his arrival makes far more sense. And if the Knicks want to remove a big in return to avoid so much frontcourt clutter, they may want to expand the deal to send someone like O’Quinn or Seraphin to Chicago, in order for another minor role player in return if the Bulls find someone to offer.

The problem with trading for Gasol is obviously what he decides to do as a free agent this summer. Yet, the Knicks may well be an intriguing option for him going forward if they acquire him before the February 18 deadline.

If Gasol wants to reunite with an old Lakers teammate, Derek Fisher, as his head coach, while working alongside another exciting young big man like Kristaps Porzingis as the perfect tutor, he could help the Knicks make a real playoff push in 2016-17.

Next: A multi-player deal for more shooting and wing talent

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