Chicago Bulls Should Look To Acquire Top 5 Pick in the 2012 NBA Draft

While the Miami Heat are keeping the Chicago Bulls spot in the NBA Finals warm, the Bulls need to make a bold and decisive move in order to guarantee their return to the post season next year. The season-ending injury to Derrick Rose could keep the Bulls' All-Star out for a large part of next season, and so, a return to the playoffs is hardly guaranteed despite earning the best record in the NBA in both of the last two seasons.

Although a solid contributor to league-leading records the past 2 seasons, Chicago Bulls' All-Star Luol Deng may be most valuable in a trade to get the Bulls to the top 5 in the 2012 NBA Draft.

For the Bulls to three-peat with the best record in the NBA and continue to be a Championship-caliber team, the front office must be bold in rebuilding the team to overcome the extended absence of a rehabbing Rose. In addition, the Bulls have contracts which now max out their cap space, and they must consider losing young assets like Omer Asik or go over the salary cap in order to keep them.

With most NBA teams considering off-season moves now, there have been thousands of trade scenarios put out by sports writers everywhere, but here is the move that makes the most sense for the teams involved:

Los Angeles Lakers get:
Luol Deng ($12.3M)-- All-Star ( Career 16.0 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 2.3 APG)

Sacramento Kings get:
Pau Gasol ($18.7M)-- All-Star (Career 18.7 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 1.7 BPG)

Chicago Bulls get:
Tyreke Evans ($4.2M)-- 2010 Rookie of the Year (Career 18.2 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 5.3 APG)
SAC #5 Pick in 2012 NBA Draft

Tyreke Evans, the 2010 Rookie of the Year, is currently on the trading block and would be a great stand in for Derrick Rose.

Deng is an NBA All-Star whose game is unselfish and focuses on defense and offensive efficiency. He is a good passer, a great rebounder, and his range out to the 3-point line would stretch the defense (36.7% 3-point shooting percentage), opening up the inside for Bynum in the post and giving Bryant driving lanes to get to the basket. Deng's game would better complement Kobe's and Bynum's.

Pau Gasol is an NBA All-Star whom the Lakers had included in the failed trade to the New Orleans Hornets for Chris Paul. The Lakers' early playoff exit this postseason would indicate the need for shaking things up, and as Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum are considered untradeable by the Laker front office, that leaves Gasol as the odd man out.

Tyreke Evans was the 2010 NBA Rookie of the Year while playing the point guard position for a rebuilding Sacramento Kings franchise. His 20 points, 5 rebound, 5 assist averages during his rookie campaign were eye-popping, but just imagine if he could move over to his more natural shooting guard position. With the emergence of Sacramento rookie point guard, Isaiah Thomas, the team has been looking to unload Evans.

With the #5 Pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, the Bulls would have the chance to select one of several solid future NBA contributors, and potential superstar:

Andre Drummond  (7' 0", C, UConn)
Michael Kidd-Gilcrist (6' 7", SF, Kentucky)
Harrison Barnes (6' 8", SF, North Carolina)
Bradley Beal (6' 5", SG, Florida)
Jeremy Lamb (6' 5", SG, UConn)


While Luol Deng has not shown that he can carry a team, Tyreke Evans did it his rookie season. Tyreke Evans would be a phenomenal stand in for Derrick Rose during his rehab, and Evans can then slide over to the Shooting Guard position upon Rose's return, giving the Bulls two attacking offensive options. Jimmy Butler has shown flashes of brilliance, and with a 66-game rookie season under his belt, he should have the opportunity to show what he can do.

Meanwhile, the player drafted by the Bulls at #5 will have the chance to develop in a great team environment, learning from 2011 Coach of the Year, Tom Thibodeau. Michael Kidd-Gilcrist or Harrison Barnes could foreseeably slide right into the Small Forward spot, if they can live up to their draft hype. Another player would maintain the depth of talent and contribution that have been hallmarks of the Chicago Bulls under Thibodeau. Although it would be difficult to lose Deng, the Bulls need to make a bold move in order to create more distance between themselves and Miami, as well as, match the talent of teams like Oklahoma City, and this is the deal that could accomplish all these objectives.

Let us know your thoughts by commenting below! Would you trade Luol Deng for Tyreke Evans and SAC #5 Overall Pick?

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