NBA Rumors: Chicago Bulls Preparing For A Blake Griffin Trade
The Chicago Bulls may not be done retooling. That is if you believe the NBA rumors, the Bulls are inquiring about the availability of Blake Griffin. There are a few players who may wind up on the trading block, and the Los Angeles Clippers‘ all-star power forward is one of them. As it seems, the Bulls appear to be in on every one of the major players who may wind up available. If the Chicago Bulls can make a major trade, the notion that they are not a contender goes out of the window. As the NBA rumors continue to swirl, things will become interesting.
Most of the NBA rumors have been about how the Boston Celtics are the frontrunners to trade for Griffin (reported by the Sporting News). The latest rumor has the Bulls making an offer, as well.
According to the Gospel Herald, the Bulls have been in on Blake Griffin for a while. The Gospel Herald has suggested that the Bulls have offered Nikola Mirotic and Taj Gibson for Blake Griffin.
It would probably take more than Mirotic and Gibson for the Bulls to pry away Griffin from the Clippers.
The Celtics are targeting Blake Griffin in trade talks, sources tell @SeanDeveney. https://t.co/OmD8TvP5R1 pic.twitter.com/hKZNCkglnP
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) July 14, 2016
The Clippers are either going to keep Blake Griffin or trade him. It is possible that he will leave the team once he becomes an NBA free agent next offseason. Because the Clippers can offer Blake Griffin the most in NBA free agency, they are confident that can keep him. As one of the few teams that can give the Golden State Warriors trouble, remaining consistent could be a priority for the Clippers. Chances are high that the Clippers, and most other teams will be watching the Warriors celebrate winning the 2017 NBA Championship. That might have them jump the gun on trading Blake Griffin.
A Blake Griffin trade will only happen if he exhibits the signs of not wanting to return to the Clippers. One of the teams that will look to add Griffin once he hits NBA free agency will be the Chicago Bulls.
The Bulls are targeting the 2017 NBA free agency class as the time to strike on a star player. What makes things easier for the Bulls is if they can acquire a star prior to the trade deadline.
Blake Griffin is not the only star player who entering free agency next season.
The list of players, according to HoopsHype, also includes Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, Serge Ibaka, Gordon Hayward, and Paul Millsap. Of course, the Bulls would like to add one of the first two players on the list, but that is unrealistic. Everyone else should be on the Bulls’ radar.
The only way the Clippers trade Griffin is if they have no chance at re-signing him to a long-term deal.
Any indication of Blake Griffin looking to play elsewhere will prompt the Clippers to get something for him versus losing him for nothing. Playing NBA general manager it is unlikely that the Bulls can acquire Griffin without offering a deal that includes Nikola Mirotic. Taj Gibson’s expiring salary along with Mirotic is a lot to offer, but that will not be enough for the Bulls to get him.
NBA Rumors: Chicago Bulls Confirm Blake Griffin Trade; Nikola Mirotic, Taj Gibson Shopped For Clippers Star Salary… https://t.co/Go2Awbk6Uh
— Chicago Bulls new (@ChicagoBullsnew) July 16, 2016
If the Chicago Bulls want to add Blake Griffin in a trade, they will have to throw in at least two draft picks in order to pull it off. The Bulls will not include other pieces of their future in a trade for Griffin. That means rookie Denzel Valentine and Bobby Portis are off-limits. Because Griffin can leave after one season, do not expect the Bulls to dangle young players who are still on their rookie contracts. Valentine and Portis have high ceilings as shown in their NBA Summer League play.
The same can be said about Doug McDermott, who in his third season should have a steady improvement with the Bulls. Plus, the Bulls will need all the outside shooting they can get.
If the Bulls were to include draft picks in a potential trade for Blake Griffin, they could be telling the fans that the storyline for the season has changed. Once considered a playoff contender, the Bulls would signal their interest in a run at the NBA Finals. This is the same logic the Bulls will take with them going into next offseason when Griffin, and others become free agents. Only the message will be vastly different than what they told people just a month ago.
If the Bulls play well and surprise some people by advancing in the NBA Playoffs, they will have one of the best recruiters around in Dwyane Wade. And because his contract includes an option for next season, Dwyane Wade can opt-out and recruit a player to join him and Jimmy Butler.
Wade is great friends with Chris Paul. He has a strong reputation around the league. Lastly, Dwyane Wade is the architect that put the Miami Heat together in 2010.
Key factor in whole DWade signing: he's got a player option next yr so Bulls will have cap money to get a Blake Griffin. Wade will recruit.
— NonStopHoops (@NonStopHoops) July 7, 2016
Even at 35, which he will be when the next offseason starts, Wade should be able to recruit a free agent to the Chicago Bulls. Blake Griffin, Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook will be the Bulls top targets next year. Gordon Hayward will not be that far behind.
As for the latter, Hayward might be made available in a trade before Griffin is. And the reported offer of Nikola Mirotic and Taj Gibson that the Bulls gave the Clippers would be enough for the Utah Jazz. That is another NBA rumor that will be tossed around for a while. Either way it is sliced, the Chicago Bulls’ roster is far from completed. There are too many NBA rumors which suggest just that.
Are the Chicago Bulls in on Blake Griffin? A report says that they are.
[Photo by Harry How/Getty Images]
