Chicago Bulls: 4 players GarPax whiffed on at the trade deadline

The only player on this list that the Chicago Bulls could’ve traded for at the trade deadline this year that actually didn’t get moved is the Charlotte Hornets 6-foot-3 23-year-old shooting guard Malik Monk. Since Monk isn’t having his best year in terms of offensive production, the Bulls would be able to buy low on him.

Three names that reportedly surfaced in trade talks ahead of the deadline were point guard Terry Rozier and Monk from the Hornets and point guard Dennis Smith Jr. from the Knicks. Monk is about the most appealing trade target for the Bulls in that trio, but he would be used in a different way than if the Knicks had landed him.

So far this season, Monk is averaging 9.5 points per game, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists while shooting 43.4 percent from the field and 27.4 percent from beyond the arc. The poor trend in Monk’s numbers is his three-point shooting percentage. Monks three-point shooting percentage dropped off in each of his three years in the NBA.

The Hornets are effectively out of playoff contention in the East at this point, even more so than the Bulls. Monk would be a good way for the Bulls to bolster their current rotation deeper down the bench and still stay young and building toward the future. He’s a very athletic option that is starting to show more capabilities as a facilitator and a good shooter when he’s in rhythm. His defensive game hasn’t really come along yet, though.