Recent NBA trade rumors have emerged that the Chicago Bulls are looking at Charlotte Hornets point guard Jeremy Lin as a potential starting five replacement for the injury-prone Derrick Rose.
Inquisitr's Danny Cox reported that the Bulls, currently ranking third in the Eastern Conference with a 24-16 win-loss slate, "are one of many teams that are interested" in the 27-year-old Lin as this season's February trade deadline approaches mainly because of the team's continued apprehension at the health status of its current starting floor general Rose.
The 2011 NBA MVP has been injury-prone in his entire six-year career and this season is nothing new for the first overall pick of the 2008 draft.
Last week, Rose was again forced out of the fourth quarter in a game versus the Milwaukee Bucks because of a left patellar tendonitis, as per ESPN. Chicago went on to lose the game, 106-101.
Rose clarified that the injury was not that serious and that him sitting out of the final period of that game was just precautionary.
"Just felt something with my left knee, like jumper's knee or something like that," said Rose. "It just didn't feel right while I was out there. Just got to be cautious with my body."
However, the Bulls are not taking these small things for granted as the franchise wants stability in their quest for another championship.
Cox said that "the Hornets may be willing to move Lin before this season's trade deadline. He can opt out this summer, though, and that's when the Bulls could offer him a max deal and the starting point guard spot if Rose should leave".
Recent reports have also emerged that Rose is contemplating on his future in Chicago, especially when he faces unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2017.