The Chicago Bulls have one of the top teams in the league and were set for a long playoff run before Derrick Rose went down for the season. Now, times could be changing as the Bulls might be looking to shake up the roster.

NY Daily News

The Bulls want to give Omer Asik and Taj Gibson new deals, so they’re exploring ways to trade Luol Deng and/or Joakim Noah to teams that can send them a trade exception and a No. 1 pick.

Why? Glad you asked. I'll let Matt Moore explain it.

Report: Bulls considering moving Joakim Noah or Luol Deng for pick and cap exception | ProBasketballTalk

Now, it’s possible that this is the Bulls’ approach. Here’s why. If Bulls ownership is looking to cut future salary to ensure their ability to get under the luxury tax to avoid the repeater tax in 2015, they can get Asik and Gibson for cheaper deals overall than Deng and Noah. Deng’s got $27 million owed over the next two seasons, Noah is owed $48 million over the next four. Moving either one and having Asik and Gibson could help them keep the core together and avoid the repeater tax, especially if they amnesty Carlos Boozer.

Does that mean the Celtics can send one of our picks and pick up Deng or Noah? Probably not. For one thing, there's that whole cap holds thing. For another thing, the Bulls are looking for a top pick. For instance the Warriors might be willing to give up the 7 pick for Deng.

Chicago Bulls' Luol Deng says he wouldn't be surprised by trade - ESPN Chicago

But Deng, 27, did acknowledge that he's not dismissing recent reports suggesting the Bulls are willing to trade him for a top pick in Thursday's NBA draft, with speculation mounting that Chicago could send Deng to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for the No. 7 overall pick.

Still, it is something to keep an eye on.