NBA Trade Rumors: As tension grows in Chicago, the Bulls have quietly made Pau Gasol, Taj Gibson and Joakim Noah available for trades
The Chicago Bulls are finally ready to thin out their abundant frontcourt depth. With a number of capable forwards, the Bulls have reportedly made Taj Gibson, Pau Gasol and Joakim Noah available for trades.
If nothing else, they’re testing the market right now to see what any of those players could reel in ahead of the NBA’s Trade Deadline.
Chicago actually has more quality bigs than they can play. Between Nikola Mirotic, Doug McDermott, Taj Gibson, Pau Gasol Bobby Portis, Joakim Noah and Mike Dunleavy (when he returns next month), the Bulls have seven, or even eight if you want to count Tony Snell, forwards that could demand minutes; they just don’t have enough to go around.
A trade, even if Chicago just moves one, makes sense.
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"[via Bleacher Report, Transcribed by PBT]League sources say the Chicago Bulls have been checking on interest in one of their three bigs on the front line: Taj Gibson, Joakim Noah, and even at one point Pau Gasol. They are looking to get a young talent back, doesn’t matter whether it’s a defensive wing or a genuine stretch four. All of this is being motivated or prompted by the emergence of rookie big man Bobby Portis, who is demonstrating he is ready to take on a role now."
Perhaps the move that makes the most sense is trading Noah, whose contract expires at the end of the season. Moving Gasol would makes similar sense, since he has a player option at the end of the year; he’ll probably opt out.
With all that said, it’s probably Gibson, of the three reportedly available, that will likely create the biggest demand on the trade block. Gibson is younger than all three and still has one more season remaining on his contract – he’s more than just a half-seson rental.
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One will likely get dealt, probably on deadline day. However, I’m actually surprised to hear that the Bulls are looking for young talent in exchange, instead of addressing their need at small forward. My thought is that the Bulls should assume that Dunleavy won’t be back this season.
And if he does return – reports say he could return in mid-Feburary – Chicago should see that as a bonus, and he shouldn’t be inserted in the starting lineup.
Either way, a trade is coming for Chicago. Soon.