According to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, the Bulls are shopping guard Rajon Rondo and forward Nikola Mirotic.
Chicago Bulls have been actively shopping Rajon Rondo and Nikola Mirotic according to multiple sources. (Source: Joe Cowley) pic.twitter.com/uHap4deKLA
— Chicago Bulls Rumors (@chicagobullsbot) January 22, 2017
Rondo is no surprise as the former starting point guard was benched on Dec. 31st, eventually returning to the Bulls lineup as a backup on Jan. 10th. But, Rondo’s time in Chicago has been nothing short of disappointing, averaging 6.6 ppg, 6.7 ast, and shooting a brutal 30.6% from three this season. And while the 1.3 steals per game look promising, Rondo has been useless on defense for the Bulls and proved to be almost unplayable in close games late.
Mirotic, while being an overall disappointment after the hype that came with his overseas arrival in 2014, has had moments this season where he’s been great on the offensive end. The Spaniard had an 11-game run from Dec. 19th to Jan. 7th where he averaged almost 12 ppg, scoring a season high 20 points in a win against Indiana. But, Mirotic has been streaky his entire career with the Bulls and offers almost zero defense when on the court. The stretch-four is only useful to Chicago when he can score to counter-act his lack of defense, which has yet to happen.
The Chicago Tribune’s K.C. Johnson has also said that both Rondo and Mirotic would make great trade candidates, and also included veteran forward Taj Gibson to the list of players who could possibly get trade as well.
Chicago Bulls Rajon Rondo, Taj Gibson and Nikola Mirotic are all prime candidates to be shopped at trade deadline. (Source: K.C. Johnson) pic.twitter.com/8v343CoAyI
— Chicago Bulls Rumors (@chicagobullsbot) January 23, 2017
Johnson writes in this article how Paul Zipser’s surprise playing time in his rookie season could lead to one of Mirotic or Gibson being moved in a midseason deal to free up minutes for the young German forward or second-year man Bobby Portis, who is currently leading the team in three-pointers, shooting 38.5% from deep.
Gibson is having a solid season once again for the Bulls, scoring 11.8 ppg with 7.1 total rebounds, the longest tenured Bull is doing what he does best in getting rebounds and playing great defense in multiple spots. But, Gibson provides more value to a playoff team than he does to a Bulls team that is struggling to hold on to the 8th spot and the Bulls could find a suitor at the deadline. However, a trade of Taj Gibson would most definitely signal the Bulls giving up on this season, which seems unlikely for the front office.
While these players could and should be moved to allow more playing time for the younger players on the Bulls roster, it would take Gar Forman and John Paxson to admit they were wrong, and that seems implausible at this moment.
