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NBA Rumors: Derrick Rose To Switch To Shooting Guard If Not Traded

By Ernest Shepard
Published on: 02:00 PST, Jun 2, 2016

One of the latest NBA rumors that is on the mind of Chicago Bulls’ fans is that Derrick Rose is likely on the move. A move may take place, but it might not be the move that the majority of the NBA rumor mills keeps churning out. The rush to get Derrick Rose out of town and off the Chicago Bulls’ roster may get trumped by the former NBA MVP switching positions.

According to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, Derrick Rose is a prime candidate for a position swap.

Derrick Rose has run the point guard spot for the Chicago Bulls since he was drafted by the team in 2008. The only time Rose has not been the lead guard as a pro basketball player is during the times when he was hurt. Depending on which player the Bulls pick up in the upcoming NBA Draft or free agency, the possibility of Derrick Rose playing more shooting guard is present. Rose playing shooting guard for the Bulls does not rule out a trade. In fact, it may enhance the chances that a deal can be had.

The reasonings behind the Bulls wanting to use Derrick Rose at the two-guard is simple: The Bulls feel they can get better basketball decisions made during a game. Also, the position switch would allow Rose to focus more on scoring rather than facilitate.

Derrick Rose the scorer is something the Bulls want and have not experienced since the year after his MVP season. Looking to solidify his place in the NBA’s elite, Rose was the Bulls’ leading scorer for the third consecutive year. He never averaged less than 20 points a game in that three-year span. His assist numbers were fairly reasonable as well as he dished out no fewer than an average of six assists a game.

Derrick Rose’s ACL tear, along with other knee-related injuries, really set him back. Prior to the injuries that he suffered, Rose led the Bulls in scoring and assists in the three seasons after his rookie campaign. A move to shooting guard will lessen the load for him in a big way while increasing his value to the Bulls and around the NBA.

The shooting guard would be a position that Derrick Rose is familiar with. Rose played some off-guard at Memphis after playing the position a lot in high school. Playing without the ball in his hands will allow him to move to the basket, create mismatches and get easier shots. Such a move would revitalize Derrick Rose, the scorer. And if that happens and the Bulls want to trade him as the NBA rumors suggest, his trade value will increase. The trickle down effect would result in a huge contract averaging over $23 million a season. Rose may or may not see that with the Bulls, but another team could pay that contract.

The hint that something else is brewing is evident. If it is true the Derrick Rose will spend more as the Bulls’ shooting guard, that means Jimmy Butler will get his wish to play some point guard.

When the Bulls got together for media day last August, Jimmy Butler told reporters that he wants to play point guard (via Sporting News) during the regular season. Butler got a chance in the games when Derrick Rose was on nursing an ailment. He did not disappoint when he was thrust into the role. Jimmy Butler cannot play at the point full-time, can he?

There is something to keep an eye on. If a move is not made to bring in a point guard and Jimmy Butler does take on more facilitating duties, Derrick Rose’s days with the Bulls becomes easier. Many of the NBA rumors have Rose getting traded, but a tweet by CSN Chicago suggests the opposite.

The tweet should be enough to put the NBA rumors of a Derrick Rose trade to rest. Especially, since he is working on his game with some of his Bulls’ teammates.

Famed trainer Tim Grover believes that Derrick Rose can improve his game with the right training. Working out with Travelle Gaines and his teammates could be the best thing for him at this time.

As of right now, why would the Chicago Bulls trade Derrick Rose? And if they were to trade him, the question that beckons is where would he go?

Assuming that the Bulls entertain offers for Derrick Rose, no trade will be made right away, at least not while his trade value is at its lowest. Unless the Bulls take on an unwanted salary, no trade is imminent. However, there are plenty of teams interested in the Bulls guard.

One of the NBA rumors involving Derrick Rose is a trade with the Dallas Mavericks for Devin Harris and second round picks. That sounds much more like a giveaway than a trade that helps both teams. The Bulls would rather take their chances on Derrick Rose leaving as a free agent than just give him to a team for assets they will never use.

An attempt at that strategy took place a couple of years ago when the Bulls traded forward Luol Deng to the Cleveland Cavaliers for the salary of Andrew Bynum. It was a move to get the Bulls out of the luxury tax. They received a protected first-round pick in return that they have yet to use.

With the salary cap expected to jump to $92 million, according to USA Today, there will be no salary dumps for the Bulls. In other words, unless the Bulls receive a solid offer for Derrick Rose, he is not getting traded for the purposes of just getting traded.

There is a deal that could happen with the Philadelphia 76ers for Jahlil Okafor and draft picks if somehow another player is thrown in to make the salaries work.

Using ESPN’s Trade Machine, a deal that would send Derrick Rose to the Philadelphia 76ers, netting a return of Jahlil Okafor and Carl Landry works. That would be a deal that could interest both teams. The Bulls get something of value for Derrick Rose, and the 76ers get to show their fans how serious they are to improve their team. Okafor gets to escape a front office who does not appear to be enamored with him. Lastly, Derrick Rose gets to start over.

If Rose does not get traded, he will move to off-guard where he can thrive with less responsibility. That could make Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls dangerous next season.

[Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images]

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