As the NBA trade deadline approaches, the possible departure of Taj Gibson from the Chicago Bulls draws closer. But where could he end up?
The Chicago Bulls have an overloaded frontcourt with a declining former star, a current star heading for free agency, and generally too many for head coach Fred Hoiberg to play and utilize effectively in his new system. It’s no surprise that they’ve been involved in NBA trade rumors for quite some time now, and it makes sense for them to move one of their big men.
Rumors have been surrounding Joakim Noah (now a bench player who’s far from his All-NBA first team days), Taj Gibson (a highly talented defensive backup) and Pau Gasol (a 2014-15 All-Star who has said it’s likely that he’ll opt out this summer with his player option).
As Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports reported on his podcast (The Vertical), the Bulls are open to moving any of the three if the return is right and they can land a talented wing player.
"Executives around the league, and people have told me, that the Bulls are very determined to add a talented wing player… and I’ve been told that the Bulls are open to, whether it’s Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson—maybe not both of them, but either of them—if there’s a deal out there that they can bring in the best possible wing player available, they’re open to it. That’s a direction they’re going to go in."
This is nothing new. They have too many big men that don’t fit well in Hoiberg’s more up-tempo system, and would be better off moving someone in exchange for a wing player that can not only balance out their rotation but help their 23rd ranked offense, too.
While Gibson is a great player for any team looking to contend to have, he isn’t at his most valuable right now. Seeing as the Bulls are looking to trade and Gibson is going to be leaving his prime relatively soon at 30 years old, he certainly isn’t too hard to obtain if teams have a wing player or scorer to offer the Bulls. That being said, he’s obviously still a highly talented player. He’s the kind of gritty, athletic, defensive big man that any team could benefit from, and his mid-range game (45 percent from 10 feet to the perimeter) is yet another bonus.
Other franchises wouldn’t have had a great chance of landing him before Gasol arrived in 2014-15 and the Hoiberg era began this season, so this new opportunity is something to take advantage of.
Let’s examine five potential destinations where Gibson could land before the February 18 deadline.
Next: 5. New Orleans Pelicans