At 22-23 on the season, the Chicago Bulls are definitely still in the mix for a playoff spot back east. In no way does this mean that the team has been impressive this season. Any time you are under .500 in a weak conference, questions about your personnel will come up.
That’s happened with the Bulls, who have lost five of their past seven after a three-game winning streak.
Now, according to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, the Bulls are reportedly shopping point guard Rajon Rondo and forward Nikola Mirotic.
The issue here is that both of these players come with baggage. Rondo lost his starting job earlier this season and has not made it a secret that he’d prefer to play elsewhere. Rondo has had past issues in his NBA career, notably under Rick Carlisle of the Dallas Mavericks.
Playing in the first season of a two-year, $28.1 million contract, Rondo also wouldn’t come cheap for any team looking for an upgrade at point guard. After leading the Association in assists last year with the Sacramento Kings, Rondo is averaging just 6.6 points and 6.7 assists this season.
On the same note, Mirotic has failed to live up to expectations. He’s averaging a career low 9.3 points while shooting at a 39 percent clip from the field. Set to become a restricted free agent this upcoming summer, there could be some mild interest in his services.