Bulls Interested In Acquiring Brandon Knight Or Nerlens Noel

With a sub-.500 record and growing frustration around the recent benching of free agent addition Rajon Rondo, the Chicago Bulls would be wise to start planning for big moves before the NBA's trade deadline in February. Rondo recently informed the Chicago media that he would "absolutely" request a trade if he remains out of Fred Hoiberg's rotation. The $14 million question is: what team would be willing to take on the aging point guard's contract, and what other pieces would they insist be included in that package? That question could give Gar Forman and John Paxson some sleepless nights in the near future. But it least it sounds like they have their eyes on a few potential trading targets. Earlier today, the Bulls Nation blog reported that the team is interested in acquiring either Phoenix Suns guard Brandon Knight or Philadelphia 76ers big man Nerlens Noel. https://twitter.com/BullsNationNet/status/816009393619791872

Not The Knight Bulls Need

Let's start with Brandon Knight. In one of his columns last week, ESPN's Marc Stein reported that the Suns are looking to move the underwhelming guard before the deadline.

"The latest signals continue to suggest that Suns guard Brandon Knight will be one of the bigger names to move between now and the Feb. 23 trade deadline. Knight played only nine minutes in the Suns' home win Thursday night over Toronto, less than 20-year-old rookie Tyler Ulis." - Marc Stein

It appears as though the former first round pick has worn out his welcome in Phoenix. In addition to the emerging talent of Ulis, the Suns also have veteran Eric Bledsoe as their locked-in starter at the point. When Knight is on the floor, he's hurting his team's effectiveness. He has the league's worst plus/minus total of -256. Why, exactly would the Bulls want to trade their struggling point guard for somebody even worse? Do they see Knight as a better backcourt fit with Dwyane Wade? He's not necessarily as ball-dominant as Rondo, and can be a better scorer. But he's still not a great shooter (39.5%) and he doesn't have the passing skills of a true point guard. Knight's contract is slightly cheaper than Rondo's this season. But he has 3 more years on the current deal worth $13.6 million, $14.6 million and $15.6 million. Does that sound like a good investment for the Bulls given his current numbers? No. Nerlens Noel, on the other hand, just might be worth a closer look from Chicago's front office.

Not Too Late For Noel, Noel

Who says you can't sing Christmas carols in January or February? Back in November, Bleacher Report included 76ers power forward Nerlens Noel in a column detailing big name players who could be dealt before the February deadline. The math is simple. The 76ers have way too many bigs (Joel Embiid,  Jahlil Okafor, Dario Saric, Ben Simmons and Ersan Ilyasova) and appear ready to move on from the former first round pick whose first few seasons were marred by multiple injuries. Finally healthy, he made his season debut on December 11th but hasn't been able to carve out a consistent spot in Philadelphia's rotation.  Meanwhile, the 76ers have very little going for them in the point guard department. 6th year veteran Sergio Rodriguez has been their primary starter, but it's hard to argue that he's better than Rondo. The 76ers are also lacking a veteran with championship experience to provide leadership and guidance for a very young roster. Say what you want about Rondo's play this season, but all of the Bulls' young guys have sung his praises since he arrived in Chicago. Contractually, it looks like a possible fit as well. 670 The Score's Cody Westerlund made note of Philadelphia when breaking down potential suitors for Rondo. https://twitter.com/CodyWesterlund/status/816019318689464320 If the Bulls aren't planning to match the high offers veteran Taj Gibson will receive in his impending free agency summer, Noel might be a reasonable option moving forward. He's an improving rim protector with tons of upside if he can stay healthy. If the 76ers are at least somewhat interested in Rondo, or willing to take him in a deal involving multiple pieces on both sides, Forman and Paxson should absolutely try to negotiate. Sports Mockery will keep you posted on any further updates regarding these trade rumors.