The Chicago Bulls are an interesting team to watch as the NBA Draft and free agency approach.

Point guard and former league MVP Derrick Rose and star guard Jimmy Butler have been the subject of trade rumors, and veteran center Joakim Noah is an unrestricted free agent.

Many of those rumors have involved Butler, but according to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders, the Bulls would rather trade Rose than Butler.

“League sources in Italy say the Bulls are actively open to moving guard Derrick Rose and that seems to be the first choice rather than shopping Butler,” Kyler writes.

“Rose is entering the final year of his deal and has commented numerous times on the ballooning salary cap and his next contract, much to the dismay of the Bulls front office and a large number of Bulls fans. Add that to an on-again, off-again intensity and there is a sense that both sides would welcome a change, especially with Rose entering a free agent year.”

The Bulls’ reported interest in shipping Rose makes sense, as the 27-year-old tore his ACL in the 2012 NBA playoffs and hasn’t been the same player since the injury. Rose averaged 20-plus points per game in three straight seasons from 2009-10 through 2011-12, but has yet to reach those totals after his injury.

Butler, meanwhile, is in the prime of his career, is younger than Rose and has become an excellent scorer. He also is signed for four more seasons at a salary that will be even more team friendly as the salary cap continues to rise because of the new television deal.

Butler probably would net the Bulls a better return, but trading Rose makes more sense if Chicago wants a quick retool.

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