The trade deadline is a few days away, and it looks like the Chicago Bulls are in talks about acquiring certain players. If the rumors are true, that means the front office has heard the fan base’s cries and is taking action to solve the Bull’s problems. However, the fans might not like the players who may not fit into the coach’s system, or roster. With that being said, here are the five players the Bulls need to move before the deadline.
The Unproductive Bulls Players
The first player the Bulls need to move is Tony Snell. Snell is averaging 5.5 ppg, 0.9 apg, and 3.3 rpg in 20.7 minutes this season. Snell has not shown any improvement with the minutes he has been given by the coach this season, and it’s one of the main factors to the Bulls’ struggles thus far. The 24-year-old small forward has been inconsistent. With no signs of improvement, it would be easier to trade him as soon as possible.
The second player that needs to be traded is Aaron Brooks. Last season, Brooks was the spark off the bench that the Bulls needed when Derrick Rose was off the floor. This season, unfortunately, he hasn’t been as productive as he was last season coming off the bench. This season, the 6’0" point guard is averaging 7.1 ppg, 2.4 apg, and 1.7 rpg in 15.9 minutes. Brooks has been unreliable on defense because of his height against other guards in the league, and he has been more of a facilitator on offense rather than being the spark the Bulls need when Rose is sitting on the bench. It would be in the Bulls’ best interest to trade him and find a guard with size that can come off the bench and bring the spark they need.
The third player that needs to be moved is Kirk Hinrich. On the roster since 2003, Hinrich has been one of the best Bulls players in this era. As much as fans want to keep him on the team, they will understand from a business stand point that he will be traded if need be. The 35-year-old point guard is averaging 3.8 ppg, 1.7 apg as well as averaging 1.7 rpg this season. The veteran has been known to be a defensive guard more than a scoring guard. With his minute’s restriction at 25, it is somewhat difficult for him to be productive in games coming off the bench, yet alone make an impact in the game like he used to.
Taj Gibson is the fourth player that needs to be considered for a trade. This season, Gibson has been in the starting lineup, taking Joakim Noah’s starting role. Although the fans have been saying for years that Gibson deserves the starting role, he hasn’t been proving that he deserves the spot. Gibson is averaging 8.0 ppg, 1.3 apg, and 7.2 rpg this season. While he is still a good rim defender, he has been struggling to be more productive offensively. If the Bulls go after a big man, more than likely they will trade Gibson.
The 5th Bulls player that needs to be moved is Doug McDermott. Similar to Snell, McDermott has been inconsistent on offense, and became more of a liability on defense with the minutes he has been given. This season, McDermott is averaging 8.3 ppg, 0.6 apg, and 2.3 rpg in 22.4 minutes. While Mike Dunleavy Jr. was out due to off season injury, this would’ve been a perfect opportunity for McDermott, and Snell, to prove that they can be productive in the extra minutes. That has yet to be proven. McDermott plays too fast for his own good, and is not letting the game come to him. McDermott might be sent into the D-League to improve his defense and patience.
Those are the five the Bulls need to move by the trade deadline. Have your ears open for if you hear rumors or reports about any of these players in trade talks.