The Chicago Bulls continues to climb the Eastern Power rankings, but the team could still consider adding depth to their second unit.
The Bulls' starting core have been surprisingly good this season opposite to what many speculated after the team added Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo this past summer. The All-Star trio of Jimmy Butler, Rondo and Wade have carried the team to its winning record this season, but Chicago still needs to upgrade its bench to be solid title contenders.
Following the Bulls' loss to the Denver Nuggets last week, Mike McGraw of the Daily Herald pointed out the need for Chicago to add depth to the second unit, insisting that Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg has limited options, despite the presence of the three All-Stars.
"Everything that has gone wrong on the road trip fits into the same general category: The Bulls are hurting for depth right now," McGraw wrote.
"They've been outscored in bench points in all five games on the trip, often by a wide margin."
The Bulls are 18th in the league in bench points, averaging 31.1 points a game. They are ahead of top teams like the Cavs, Raptors and Warriors, but the inconsistency of Chicago's second stringers are hurting the team when it needs more options.
Another factor that may have caused the Bulls' bench to struggle is the injuries. Michael Carter-Williams, whom the team acquired via trade with the Milwaukee Bucks, has been out for more than three weeks due to a bone bruise in his left knee, while Doug McDermott is still out after suffering a concussion.
The return of Carter-Williams and McDermott should help the Bulls' second unit, but the team should also monitor the names potentially available in the trade market.
Bucks' center Greg Monroe could be an intriguing option, with the Bucks still open to trading the 26-year-old center big man, reports ESPN's Marc Stein. Another interesting target is Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay, who "still wants out," as well as Phoenix Suns backup point guard Brandon Knight. The Bulls could also take advantage of the Minnesota Timberwolves' rumored interest in acquiring Taj Gibson.
According to Ric Bucher of Bleacher Report, Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau is growing impatient of the team and may deal one of his young stars for a veteran who can immediately help Minnesota. If the Bulls are open to moving Gibson, the Bulls could acquire Ricky Rubio or a defensive big man like Gorgui Dieng who could both help improve the team's second unit.
There are still a couple of weeks left before trade speculations start to heat heading into the trade deadline. It is unclear whether the Bulls would consider making any moves, but the team certainly needs contributions off the bench to remain contenders.
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