NBA Rumors: Chicago Bulls May Have Brook Lopez On Their Radar
Just days away from their first preseason game, the Chicago Bulls are involved in another NBA trade rumor.
Brook Lopez playing alongside his twin brother Robin Lopez would be an interesting sight to see if you are a Chicago Bulls fan. The Bulls could be interested in Brook Lopez if one of the NBA rumors that have percolated over the past few days.
According to Yibada, the Bulls have been linked to a blockbuster trade with the Brooklyn Nets. In the rumored deal, the Bulls would send Nikola Mirotic, Bobby Portis, and rookie Denzel Valentine. In return, the Bulls would receive Brook Lopez from the Nets.
Before determining whether the rumored trade between the Bulls and Nets has any validity to it, we need to figure out if it is a good idea in the first place.
For the Bulls to explore a deal for Brook Lopez they would have to consider giving up at least two players from the envisioned regular season rotation. According to the NBA rumor by Yibada, the Bulls would be trading away a starter and the last two top draft picks. That does not include trading a future draft selection, which the Bulls will likely have to do.
Brook Lopez is a good player, but is he the difference-maker who can put the Bulls over the top? That remains to be seen.
The Bulls acquired Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo in NBA free agency, and Robin Lopez in a trade. After all of the moves the Bulls made in the offseason, they have two weaknesses: outside shooting and rebounding. According to a report by NBA.com, rebounding has been the focal point of the Bulls’ training camp thus far.
Despite the NBA game moving toward a smaller brand of basketball, having a couple of big men is important. The Bulls do not have an abundance of frontcourt players. Beyond Cristiano Felicio and Lopez, there are few guys who can fill in at center. If an injury happens, the Bulls are doomed. If either of them turns out to be inefficient, the Bulls are doomed. A third center is needed, but is Brook Lopez the answer?
Looking at how the Bulls are set up roster-wise, no. The Bulls could use a shooting big man who can rebound. That is one of Lopez’s weaknesses. Plus, Brook Lopez is set to earn nearly $20 million this season. Financially, he does not fit the Bulls.
The NBA rumors regarding the Bulls interest in Sacramento’s DeMarcus Cousins makes more sense. Cousins’ contract is $3 million less than Brook Lopez, and he is better around the glass. With all of that said, do not expect the Bulls and the Nets to make a trade.
If the Bulls are going to do something in the coming weeks, it will be a minor move. A healthy Josh McRoberts from the Miami Heat or Charlotte’s Spencer Hawes would work. Hawes is a more realistic option.
The Charlotte Hornets have been working the phones all summer, according to Yahoo Sports. After signing Roy Hibbert to a one-year deal, the Hornets have the intentions of moving Spencer Hawes and the $11.7 million remaining on his contract.
The Bulls could essentially offer the Hornets Tony Snell and a future second-round pick just so that Hawes is off Charlotte’s books.
Hawes has a trade kicker that would push his earnings past the $6 million mark, but the Bulls can absorb it by making a minor move.
Brook Lopez to the Chicago Bulls is an interesting thought, but there are a couple of reasons why it will not happen. The Bulls could make a minor move that would solidify their roster for the time being.
[Featured Image by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images]
