5. Chicago Bulls

Bulls Get PG - Brandon Knight Suns Get PG - Rajon Rondo

Future draft pick

Rajon Rondo is racking up DNP-CDs like he used to rack up triple-doubles, and Michael Carter-Williams is currently starting at point guard, so yeah, it’s safe to say the Chicago Bulls could use some backcourt help in their playoff hunt.

Brandon Knight is one of several point guards who should be available by the trade deadline, and in a starting role, he’d be much more useful than he currently is in Phoenix. The problem is putting together a deal that’s fair to both sides.

A direct Knight-Rondo swap makes sense for Chicago, and Rondo’s deal is non-guaranteed for next season, but the Suns would have little incentive to take on another disgruntled point guard that wouldn’t be playing — unless draft considerations were included. A first round pick is too much for the Bulls to surrender; a second-rounder might not be enough for Phoenix.

It’s safe to assume Chicago’s enticing young pieces like Bobby Portis, Doug McDermott and Denzel Valentine would be off limits in a deal like this, but what about an aging veteran like Taj Gibson?

Bulls Get PG - Brandon Knight Suns Get PF - Taj Gibson

Future 2nd round pick

Gibson has played well in the starting role this season, averaging 12.0 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game on 53.2 percent shooting, and he’d provide youngsters Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss with a positive example of work ethic as another locker room leader.

Unfortunately, Gibson is an unrestricted free agent this summer, meaning he’d probably amount to little more than a two-month rental. It’s also worth noting that Jimmy Butler and Dwyane Wade are both ball-dominant guards, making Knight a potentially tricky fit in the same backcourt.

Unless the Suns are desperate to rid themselves of Knight’s contract in a salary dump kind of deal, or unless they can secure a future draft pick in return, the Bulls probably don’t make much sense as a trade partner for Knight.