2) Intriguing pre-deadline Chicago Bulls rumors
Garrett Temple has suitors
A report that surfaced within the past week from IndyStar (paid content) showed that the Bulls Central Division foe Indiana Pacers reached out to them to discuss a trade for the veteran shooting guard Garrett Temple. But it doesn’t sound like anything came of these discussions since the Bulls reportedly “weren’t interested” in what the Pacers had to offer.
It doesn’t seem like there would be much of a market for the former Brooklyn Nets guard/wing Temple a couple of weeks ago. That is especially true for a divisional foe like the Pacers that sits almost in the exact same spots in the standings in the East as the Bulls.
But I guess you never know how certain trade rumors can materialize ahead of the deadline each passing year.
The Indiana Pacers called the Chicago Bulls about trading for Garrett Temple, but the Bulls weren't interested.
— Daniel Greenberg (@ChiSportUpdates) March 4, 2021
(Via @ThisIsJMichael)
I’m not a personal advocate of the Bulls trading Temple, since he is an integral part of the Bulls backcourt rotation coming off the bench, and he’s a valuable veteran voice in the locker room. The veteran presence of Bulls players such as Temple, forward Thaddeus Young, combo guard/wing Tomas Satoransky, etc., is clearly helping this team find more success in the win column this season.
Yet, a shot for the Bulls to maybe get a sizable offer for Temple ahead of the deadline does bring some level of intrigue. It doesn’t feel like Karnisovas and the Bulls should make Temple an “untouchable” trade target at the deadline. If there’s someone that is willing to bid the price of Temple up high enough in the near future, why not see where the discussions go.