Chicago Bulls Reportedly Exploring a Trade for Pau Gasol

Chicago has been grumbling about Carlos Boozer for a while now.

And the title-contending Bulls apparently are trying to do something about their power forward situation.

Marc Stein of ESPN tweeted on Tuesday:

"

Bulls exploring avenues to try to trade for Lakers' Pau Gasol, sources close to situation say. Story going up now at ESPN online

— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) March 13, 2012"

Gasol would undoubtedly be an upgrade over Boozer. Although he's had his troubles in the past two seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, the fact of the matter is that he's a four-time All-Star and a two-time NBA champion who is averaging 16.6 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.4 blocks this season.

Boozer has averaged 15.6 points and 8.2 rebounds this season for the Bulls, but he's also averaging 0.4 blocks and has been continually blasted for his lackluster defensive play. On a team like the Bulls, being a bad defensive player doesn't make you a good fit.

Gasol has experience battling with some of the top big men in the league, and his defense would be worlds better than Boozer's. If the Bulls are able to add him without losing too much, it would be a huge gain that could catapult them past the Miami Heat as the favorite in the Eastern Conference. Paired with defensive menace Joakim Noah, Gasol would provide a formidable one-two punch down low.

The Bulls are tired of hearing about the unstoppable Miami Heat. Most believe the title is the Heat's to lose. With a deal like this, the Bulls have the potential to shock the Heat in the playoffs and hoist their first Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy since Michael Jordan's last championship with the team in 1998.

If the Bulls do pull off this trade, it's going to be interesting to see if they can do so without losing pivotal bench player Taj Gibson. If they can do that, they should be considered the front-runners in the East.

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