The Chicago Bulls are trying to build a championship team. Anticipating a healthy Derek Rose in 2014, the team is doing all they can to surround the point guard with necessary role players to make Chicago contenders in the Eastern Conference playoff race once again. Most of their free agency efforts failed with Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James heading elsewhere, but is the team still in the lead for a trade involving Kevin Love?
The Bulls did not win the sweepstakes for Anthony or James. Instead they signed Pau Gasol, Nikola Mirotic and Kirk Hinrich. Those are quality additions, but the Bulls had one of the worst offenses during the playoffs and the team needs more. The next step was getting rid of Carlos Boozer. On Tuesday, ESPN.com reported that Boozer was informed he would be amnestied and hit the free agent market. The forward's salary of $16.8 million was no longer wanted on the pay roll, opening the Bulls up to even more moves. Add in some money saving trades and Chicago could still make something happen this offseason.
The team's attention towards Love has died down since the start of free agency. They were focused on players currently available rather than ones waiting to be traded. However, as the offseason quiets down, interest for Love is rising again and the Bulls could once again try and be players in the race. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the Bulls are still interested in a making a deal, it just remains to be seen whether they have the right players to get it done.
Right now, other teams are pulling their top assets from the discussion for Love. The Cleveland Cavaliers have taken Andrew Wiggins out of negotiations. The Golden State Warriors are not allowing Klay Thompson go for the forward. The makes the Bulls leading contenders. They originally offered up Taj Gibson and Jimmy Butler along with a draft pick for Love. That is a better offer than Jeff Green and Jared Sullinger from the Boston Celtics. If the Bulls feel like they stand a chance to get the forward, the team will not hesitate to throw in someone like Doug McDermott into a trade package.
The Bulls still need a player who can create his own shot when Rose is getting blitz. That is how the Miami Heat and Washington Wizards got past the team. Love is needed despite the offseason upgrades the Bulls made. The question remains if they stand a real chance at acquiring him. Minnesota is getting plenty of offers tossed their way that they do not have to settle for just anyone. Gibson is likely the player fans will turn their noses at giving up, but if it means getting Love in return, it is not a bad move.
