The New York Times recently released an article about what the New York Knicks might get in return if they decide to trade Carmelo Anthony. They listed the Chicago Bulls, who nearly landed Melo this offseason, as a potential trade destination for the 30-year-old forward. Here’s what Benjamin Hoffman wrote about why the Bulls would trade Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler for Melo:
Anthony came incredibly close to signing with the Bulls before re-upping with the Knicks, so it is easy to see him letting this trade happen. He would be paired with a pair of defensive aces in Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson, he would have a terrific second offensive option in Pau Gasol and he could serve as a mentor for Nikola Mirotic, a talented outside shooter.
The Bulls would rid themselves of the frustration of “will he or won’t he” in terms of Rose’s ability to take the court on a nightly basis, but to do so they would give up a great deal of potential considering Butler’s rapidly expanding ceiling and the off chance that Rose ends up in a long stretch of health.
The move would leave the Bulls thin in the backcourt, but a combination of Aaron Brooks and another guard could work.
Presenting this trade to Coach Tom Thibodeau, who is known for valuing defense and hard work above all else, would at least provide some levity.
A trade of Anthony for Gibson and Noah would also work under the salary cap but would leave the Knicks without an offense and the Bulls without a defense.
There’s obviously no way the Bulls would every trade Derrick Rose, and a 25-year-old Jimmy Butler may be even more valuable after this year’s ‘break-out year’. However, the three other trade options the NYT lists, to the Celtics, Lakers and Nuggets, seem a lot more likely than this one by Chicago.
