Already in December, NBA trade rumors have started to heat up this year. One trade rumor that has caught the attention of many NBA peers is a deal centered around Derrick Rose and Zach LaVine. Adrian Wojnarowski initially said a deal with the potential to reunite Rose with the Bulls was in the cards for the Knicks, acquiring a star in LaVine. Obviously, the Bulls haven’t drafted their star shooting guard yet, but changes will have to be made if Chicago continues to struggle. As for New York, they are looking for their first true star since the Carmelo Anthony era. However, brighter days may be on the horizon. Obviously, a lot will depend on Chicago’s willingness to part ways with one of their stars.
Derrick Rose could return to Chicago.
Derrick Rose’s season so far
Rose is now out of the rotation for the New York Knicks. He recently sat down for Miles McBride, but Derek Rose took it all in stride. Although he lost his spot, the veteran point guard was still willing to offer advice to the young McBride and try to help the Knicks in any way he could. McBride was a second-round pick in the 2021 NBA draft and has been waiting for his time to contribute. At Rose’s expense, he’s embraced it and so far seems strong.
It’s worth noting that Derrick Rose isn’t the only Knick in trade rumors right now. Cam Radish’s name is being tossed around in many trade rumors as the New York Knicks have yet another mediocre season. Evan Fournier has been completely removed from head coach Tom Thibodeau’s rotation. New York has former MVP of the Year Julius Randle, but they’re still in desperate need of more firepower. That’s where the Chicago Bulls and Zach LaVine could come in, possibly at the NBA trade deadline.
Chicago’s early struggles
Although the Bulls have a solid star trio of Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic, Chicago is not having the same success at this point as they did last year. So far, the Bulls are 11th in the Eastern Conference with an 11-14 win record. Is there still time to change things? for sure. However, we’re at the point in the year where contenders are starting to distinguish themselves from underdog teams or teams that have fizzled after impressive starts (see Utah Jazz).
With all this in mind, there is a distinct possibility that the bulls will make a blockbuster trade. A deal with LaVine and Rose would reinvigorate both franchises. Derrick Rose meets the city where he is the youngest MVP in NBA history. He could finish the job for a history book ending. The Knicks have their first legitimate star to help them compete for a playoff spot since the early 2010s. Of course there will be a lot involved in this deal. However, at this moment, it seems like a very possible trade.
