The Chicago Bulls are getting ready to go to market. The NBA should be their oyster, as John Paxson has many chips to play with, and opposing NBA teams who need guards and forwards are waiting to see what Paxson has in mind. It is the crossroads for the Chicago Bulls and Paxson this off-season.

For the Chicago Bulls, this off-season will be more important than the current NBA season. All the draft picks that Paxson has used to create this collection of misshapen parts, albeit in good condition, need to be reconfigured if the Chicago Bulls are to make a move back towards the NBA elite.

There are assets to be moved on the Bulls, to be sure. The question is whether Paxson can finally make a deal, where a few of these good players on the Bulls can be moved for one great one. That, in my view, is what the Bulls need, particularly a big man that could go 20 and 10 most nights.

That low-post presence would keep defenses honest, giving the Bulls outside shooters more space, and hopefully more fallen jumpers. The price for such a player will be from among your favorites. Could be Kirk Hinrich, Ben Gordon, or Luol Deng included. The idea that a Luol Deng was untouchable when Kobe Bryant’s name came up is now laughable, and it wasn’t such a great concept back then, either.

John Paxson has to make a deal, and it might be the most important deal for the Chicago Bulls in years.