NBA Trade Rumors: Joakim Noah To New York? While Chicago Targets Melo, Phil Jackson To Pull A Fast One And Trade For All-Star Center! But Will The Bulls End Up As Winners?

The NBA Trade Rumors are on full throttle for the teams taking the boot. One of the most active teams in the offseason would be the Chicago Bulls. They have seen their limitations, and the harsh reality that Derrick Rose may never return to MVP level has sunk in.

Chicago is all about championships, no less. And they haven't had one since Michael Jordan was stomping around the NBA as a player. They have had an MVP though, but they lost him to injury for two straight seasons-and perhaps, never to return as an explosive player.

The good news is that Chicago has acquired a ton of assets at their disposal. Even Tom Thibodeau is an asset.

Now there is an actual rumor concerning the Bulls, and it does not involve Carmelo Anthony. It does have another angle-The Bulls becoming major players in 2015, not this summer. But they have to give up one of the assets they have developed.

From Sam Smith of Bulls.com:

"New York is about stars. Plus, they have a shot at LeBron next summer if they hang onto 'Melo; not if they lose him. So Phil's got to get a star if he loses Anthony. I've heard this one: The Knicks get Noah and the Bulls get Tyson Chandler, a good expiring deal so they can go after Kevin Love next year, and Iman Shumpert, who is from Chicago and a good defender who Thibs would like and Pablo Prigioni, a good backup point if they lose Augustin and Hinrich."

That's like a step back for Chicago! Joakim Noah is in his peak, and would probably make the All-NBA first team. If you want to get the most value in exchange for Joakim Noah, now is the time.

There's no question that Noah is the best player in that trade, but Chandler is an expiring contract who's also a former Defensive Player of the Year. His trade value is at an all-time low following his injury and the Knicks dismal season.

In a way, the Bulls are selling high and buying low just like a savvy stockbroker. New York has no choice once again because the lesson we learned from the Heat (and even before) is that stars want to play with stars. If they were to lose Melo, this is probably the only scenario they can get a star to lure any free agent.

For Chicago, perhaps its front office has already accepted that this group has reached its ceiling. Noah, Deng and Rose are a great trio, but they are not champions. They already let go of Deng, losing Noah won't be a shock anymore.