Chicago Bulls’ Taj Gibson blocking out trade rumors
Chicago Bulls’ big man Taj Gibson is used to the rumors. Throughout his NBA career, Gibson has been brought up in many different trade scenarios. He was discussed in connection with Dwight Howard when the Orlando Magic were preparing to trade him and this offseason, there was a thought the Bulls may need to deal Gibson in order to acquire New York Knicks’ forward Carmelo Anthony (who re-signed with the Knicks. The latest rumor has involved, Gibson, first round pick Doug McDermott and fellow rookie and former Real Madrid forward Nikola Mirotić going to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for star power forward Kevin Love.
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Gibson wants to remain with the Bulls, but knows the business well.
“It’s tough, but it’s part of the business,” Gibson said at his youth basketball camp in Deerfield via K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Tribune. “I’ve been in the league for awhile and have been around some great veterans who taught me a lot about the game. The one thing they always say is be grateful that somebody wants you and that you’re in the NBA and just focus on your game.
“Without a doubt (I want to be here). I’m a nonchalant kind of guy. I let my game speak for myself. But this place has been home for me, a lot of good times. I’m looking forward to the future and playing here hopefully for a long time.”
This seems more like posturing by the Timberwolves and it would be a surprise if Gibson (or McDermott and Mirotić) wasn’t on the roster at the start of the season.
Gibson averaged 13.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 1.1 assists per game last year while shooting 47.9% from the floor and 75.1% from the free throw line.