Taj Gibson Trade Rumors: Latest News and Speculation on Bulls Center
As the Chicago Bulls look for ways to upgrade their roster during this injury-plagued season, center Taj Gibson is one of their most valuable trade assets.
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Bulls Want Big Return for Gibson
Wednesday, Feb. 17
According to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune, one day before the NBA trade deadline, the Bulls "haven't budged" in their demands of a player and first-round pick in order to deal Gibson.
The 30-year-old has a nice contract for interested teams. He's signed through next season with an $8.95 million salary, according to Spotrac. The rising salary cap, projected to hit $89 million in 2016-17, makes that number a blip on the radar.
Zach Lowe of ESPN.com reported there has "never been more noise about the normally dormant Bulls," noting they had discussions with the Toronto Raptors about a Gibson-for-Patrick Patterson deal. The report did add those talks "appear to have led nowhere so far."
But it's telling where the Bulls are at right now. This has been a frustrating season for a franchise that has made the playoffs in seven consecutive seasons. Bulls general manager Gar Forman replaced head coach Tom Thibodeau with Fred Hoiberg, hoping to ignite a spark.
Instead, injuries to key players like Jimmy Butler and Joakim Noah, as well as the continued decline of Derrick Rose, have led the Bulls to a 27-25 record and No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Gibson isn't a dynamic offensive weapon, averaging eight points per game, but his defense remains strong, with 1.8 win shares, per Basketball-Reference.com, and he has a favorable contract that could net the Bulls a good return if they find a trade partner.
