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NBA: 5 Teams That Should Trade For Derrick Rose

By Gerald Bourguet

Jan 31, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) runs on the court during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) runs on the court during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 28, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) and Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) hugs prior to the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers aren’t used to being losers, so even though they already have D’Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson in the backcourt for the future, Kobe Bryant‘s imminent retirement will leave one of the league’s most prestigious franchises without real star power for the first time in…ever.

If the Lakers wanted to make a glamor move to tide everyone over until Russell is better prepared for stardom, this is one avenue they could take. After all, it’s not like they’d be giving much up in this proposed deal.

In Roy Hibbert, the Lakers would be trading away their “rim protector” who was a major disappointment this season. Hibbert has averaged only 6.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game this season, and the Lakers are the worst defense in the NBA despite his presence inside, surrendering 108.2 points per 100 possessions.

Related Story: NBA Trade Rumors: 5 Landing Spots For Roy Hibbert

Trading away a future first round pick may seem like too high a price to pay for Rose, especially for those convinced his best days are behind him. But depending on how far into the future it is, the Lakers might view a future first as expendable. Keep in mind, this franchise is not used to losing and will be looking to lure big-name free agents to Hollywood over the next few summers.

Whether they do so or not is irrelevant; whether they think they can is the premise we’re operating on for this trade. If that’s the case, the Lakers will probably be assuming an influx of talent will render their pick in the late 20s four or five years down the road, thereby making it more expendable.

Rose would get a chance to rebuild his game and his reputation under the bright lights of L.A., where every highlight play would become amplified. That’s not a terrible asset to have at the low cost of a pick they’ll project to be in the late 20s and a washed up center who hits free agency this summer anyway.

From the Bulls’ perspective, this would only happen if the front office was convinced it’s time to blow things up and build around Jimmy Butler and Bobby Portis. They’d be getting a pass on dealing with a likely messy free agency situation with Rose next summer, and they’d be cashing in on his value while it’s (relatively) high.

They could just let Hibbert walk over the summer, and a future draft pick would help with the rebuilding process — even if it’s in the distant future. However, the front office isn’t that heartless to trade the most popular Bulls player since Michael Jordan for the likes of Roy Hibbert and a future draft pick.

Next: No. 4

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