NBA Trade Rumors: Chicago Bulls Trading Away Derrick Rose

NBA trade rumors are swirling around about the Chicago Bulls looking to trade Derrick Rose since his stock has recently began to increase, so that they can find a better back court partner for Jimmy Butler, according to ESPN Insider. A couple of years ago, it was hard for any Bulls fan to fathom the thought of trading away the league’s Most Valuable Player, but times have changed in Chicago.

The Chicago Bulls now belong to Jimmy Butler, who was taken with the 30th pick overall in the 2011 NBA Draft. He has transformed himself into one of the best two players in the league, capably scoring 20 points a game while also locking down the top scorers in the NBA. Even if Derrick Rose had not lost his consistency, Butler would have challenged him for the throne anyway.

Many in the NBA believe that Derrick Rose has lost his consistency because he lost his confidence. Being injured all the time has an effect on the psyche of professional athletes. If Rose can regain his health and confidence, then he can become one of the better players in the National Basketball Association again. General managers are aware of this possibility, so they’re not completely opposed to acquiring the former Memphis Tigers star.

One of the teams that might be interested in Derrick Rose is the Memphis Grizzlies. From a marketing standpoint, the fact that he played for the Memphis Tigers might make Rose a really appealing option for the Grizzlies. Since the team is concerned about losing starting point guard Mike Conley to free agency after the season, then Derrick might be a really good replacement for Memphis. Rose can also be the stop gap solution for the Grizzlies while they groom their future point guard.

The New York Knicks have been having a resurgence this season, mostly because Carmelo Anthony has matured as a player and Kristaps Porzingis became a contributor a couple of years before many had expected. Right now, the team needs to see improved play from their point guards and shooting guards. Derrick Rose could possibly provide the team with that upgrade, and he would form quite the trio with Anthony and Porzingis.

Shane Larkin, Donald Sloan, and Jarrett Jack are the point guards for the Brooklyn Nets. While solid, they are definitely a position that Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov would like to see upgraded by whoever he hires as the new general manager and head coach next season. Derrick Rose would bring some star power to a Nets team that is currently led by Thaddeus Young and Brook Lopez, two good players who are not household names.

Derrick Rose might be appealing to the Denver Nuggets. The 6’3?, 190 pound guard could team up with veteran point guard Jameer Nelson and provide the team with stability at the position for all 48 minutes in a game. The addition of Rose could enable Nuggets head coach Mike Malone to move Emmanuel Mudiay, who might thrive at the shooting guard position because he would not be saddled with the ball-handling duties as much.

The Los Angeles Lakers are going through a transitional period where they will eventually need to turn to D’Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson, and Julius Randle as their stars. Russell has butted heads with Lakers head coach Byron Scott all season long, so a veteran point guard like Derrick Rose, who has an NBA MVP award on his resume, could be quite useful as a mentor and as someone that can help provide offensive punch for Los Angeles.

The Chicago Bulls shouldn’t have too much trouble finding a new NBA home for Derrick Rose.

[Featured Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images]