When news came out that superstar point guard Derrick Rose suffered yet another season-ending injury, it wasn’t only the Chicago Bulls and their fans that became depressed, but the entire NBA followers as well.

Immediately, it smelled like Penny Hardaway, Grant Hill and Brandon Roy all over again… And that was a stench we’d rather forget because we do not want the basketball gods to let us suffer again with the what-could-have-been and what-if stories…

But yet again, those same basketball gods are playing with us: Derrick Rose is gone once again.

And we’re left to wonder if he ever comes back the same. After two major operations on BOTH knees, will we ever see the same explosion from D-Rose again? Have the basketball gods deprived us once again of a superstar with limitless potential?

Now without Rose, what should the Bulls do? Should they rebuild from scratch? Should they wait for another year for their franchise player, and reboot their title campaign at that point?

We don’t have the answers, but thanks to ESPN’s Trade Machine, we have some suggestions to soften the blow. We know it won’t but still…

Chicago–Charlotte Trade

Bobcats receive: PF Carlos Boozer, SF Luol Deng and SG Kirk Hinrich
Bulls receive: SG Ben Gordon, PG Ramon Sessions, SF Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and C Cody Zeller

Why Should the Bulls Do It: Simply, start over (somewhat) and remove the bad contract in Boozer who has over $32M left for the next two seasons. Gordon and Sessions are on expiring deals, and MKG and Zeller are on friendlier rookie deals. With or without Rose in the future, they get two prospects in the last two.

Why Should the Bobcats Horrnets Do It: Michael Jordan is tired of losing, and Charlotte is in win-now mode. The addition of Boozer and Deng will make them legit postseason contenders this season. Yes, they give up two young players but they sacrifice youth to make some real noise in 2013, both in the regular season and playoffs.

Chicago-Detroit Trade
Pistons receive: SF Luol Deng
Bulls receive: PF Jonas Jerebko, PF Greg Monroe, SG Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and SF Kyle Singer

Why Should the Bulls Do It: Luol Deng and the Bulls never got to first base in their contract talks. Deng wants the money and the Bulls won’t give it with premium contracts already owned to Joakim Noah, Carlos Boozer and even Taj Gibson (plus, of course, the injured Rose). Yes, Monroe will be in the same boat with regards to a deal extension, but with this deal, the Bulls get other serviceable players who may or may not fit moving forward. If they can unload Boozer in a separate deal… Maybe they can resign Monroe too.

Why Should the Pistons Do It: Finally, no more Josh Smith playing at the three-spot. Immediately, Deng starts at that position and allows J-Smoove to move to the four as the Pistons play quicker. Yes, it’s a one-year rental for Deng but if it works maybe they can start talking extension at the end of the season.

Nope none of these trades will change the fact that D-Rose is gone for the season.