NBA Trade Rumors intensify as the trade deadline looms. Teams like the Chicago Bulls have to finalize their player assessments. Injured or not, Derrick Rose is an untouchable for them. Who else? Among players, there is only one more.

There are no centers to start the All-Star Game, and defense is not really the criteria. But Joakim Noah has played on like an undisputed franchise player. In the absence of their MVP and trading away their second best offensive player, Noah took this team on his shoulders and fought on like a true warrior.

That is why he is untouchable. Only he and Derrick Rose are on the category as players. The other untouchable is Coach Tom Thibodeau. The list is from Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun Times.

Guys like Jimmy Butler and Taj Gibson are thought to be untouchable, but Cowley claims that the front office is entertaining offers for them and all the other Bulls:

"Taj Gibson: There are reasons why Gibson's stock is skyrocketing: an aggressive inside game, an 
improved mid-range jumper, a motor on defense and a contract that is fiscally attractive for the next three seasons. But unless the Bulls know trading Gibson will 
assure them of landing a player such as Carmelo Anthony or Le-
Bron James, he will stay.

Jimmy Butler: There have been more downs than ups for Butler 
offensively this season, but he's the perfect player for Thibodeau's defense. He works too hard for his offense not to improve."

They can be considered as keepers, but if they would be part of a package that would net the Bulls a true franchise player, the front office would not hesitate.

While the Bulls have declared their intentions and are already putting the pieces in place, Sam Smith of Bulls.com warns that prying him away from New York is easier said than done:

"The Knicks, as much a mess they are with an inordinate amount of attention for a mostly irrelevant team, aren't in bad shape. After next season, they'll only have J.R. Smith and Ray Felton on the payroll. Even with the Anthony extension, they'll have room to pursue a big time free agent, perhaps someone like Kevin Love or even Kevin Durant or Russell Westbrook in coming seasons. Anthony makes $30 million more resigning with the Knicks. And it's not like anywhere he goes is an instant contender. "

Fair warning. The Bulls must remember, the superstar they are selling to partner with was in crutches just three months ago.