The Chicago Bulls traded for Spencer Dinwiddie recently, and though it's not the biggest news, it is still a transaction that puts Chicago on the radar.

The Bulls will be without Aaron Brooks next season, which reduced their depth at the point-guard position. Brooks was never seen as an exceptional backup player for Chicago, but at times, he was the best they could work with. He offered some perimeter defense along with a scoring touch from all over the court. In 16.1 minutes off the bench this season, Brooks averaged 7.1 points, 2.6 assists and 1.5 rebounds on a slash line of .401/.357/.766.

What can Dinwiddie provide?

It's impossible to compare Dinwiddie and Brooks. Dinwiddie only played 12 games this season for the Detroit Pistons, and he never truly got a chance to show NBA viewers what he is made of because he was placed behind two other point-guards of great quality for the entire season. His most impressive performance came in the very last game of the regular season against the Cavaliers.

Dinwiddie's stat line was as follows: 12 points, five assists and five rebounds in 29 minutes. The Pistons went on to win that game, and immediately played Cleveland in the playoffs. He was further limited in production due to the importance of the playoff series, in which the Pistons got swept.

With only a few games under his belt this past season, his joining the Bulls doesn't offer much to think about. However, in the event that Derrick Rose is traded, Dinwiddie could be a bit of a steal.

Rose is reportedly on the trading block for the Chicago Bulls. Credit: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images North America
Rose is reportedly on the trading block for the Chicago Bulls. Credit: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images North America

Rose an asset

Rose is reportedly available for trade, though the Bulls are not making any active attempts to trade him away. However, in a recent report regarding the Timberwolves, it was alluded to that the Timberwolves were interested in offering up their pick in the 2016 NBA Draft for Jimmy Butler in order to become relevant, sooner.

It's been made clear, though, that Butler is the preferred player to be kept on call, leaving Rose as trade bait.

In the event that Rose is traded, Chicago could ultimately secure more role players that can surround Butler and make the team a contending force once more. Since there have been no talks about Chicago proposing trade offers, it becomes much more difficult to determine who they'd even consider hunting for in order to shop Rose. Free agency, along with the draft, also offer players that could bolster the roster in a positive way.

Teams will be weary about Rose being shopped, which could ultimately leave Chicago exactly where it is. Dinwiddie doesn't exactly swoop in as the hero here, but he is merely a cheap option at the point-guard position that can help to move Rose's massive salary. Rose showed signs of a comeback this past season, though, which effectively makes Chicago's situation a tough one.

The end goal

Spencer Dinwiddie was only one step in the process to reshape Chicago's lineup. What exactly do they hope to achieve? Simple.

Credit: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images North America
Credit: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images North America

The Cleveland Cavaliers won their very first championship tonight, further solidifying their dominance in the Eastern Conference. The Chicago Bulls have faced LeBron James on countnless occasions in the playoffs, effectively developing an eternal rivalry with him. It's become evident just how many Bulls players dislike James and his style of play, and the organization is likely sick of losing to him year after year.

Thus, the defensive culture of the Chicago Bulls will be changing in any way possible in order to secure their position in the top of the Eastern Conference once more. 

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About the author
Robert Brunswick III
SUNY Binghamton Graduate with a BA in English Literature and Rhetorical Studies