NBA Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz Surrounding Taj Gibson, Gordon Hayward
The NBA’s level of fluidity is approaching its yearly peak.
With the draft in the rearview mirror and free agency set to kick off in a handful of days, teams all around the league are shaking things up.
We’ve already seen one blockbuster trade that sent Derrick Rose to the New York Knicks, and another move from the Chicago Bulls could be coming soon.
Let’s take a look at that rumor as well as another one regarding a rising Western Conference squad.
According to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, the Bulls have discussed trading veteran Taj Gibson.
The 31-year-old power forward has spent all seven of his professional seasons with Chicago and solidified himself as a key contributor and locker room presence.
As Cowley noted, Gibson has an ever-coveted expiring contract, which will pay him $8.9 million in 2016-17 and then come off the books next summer.
Before the February trade deadline, there were rumors the Bulls were trying to deal Gibson to the Toronto Raptors for Patrick Patterson, per K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune.
Here’s what Gibson thought about the rumblings at the time: "I would be surprised, but I understand that it's a part of the business. An offer could be made and things could be shaken up. It doesn't mean they don't like you or don't appreciate you. It's just that it's a business. I totally understand it."
With Rose gone, it’s unclear whether the Bulls are going to hit the reset button or try to ride All-Star shooting guard Jimmy Butler, now the team’s undisputed leader.
Should they deal Gibson for a future pick—or someone who doesn’t help them immediately—the Bulls could be turning their attention toward developing young talent such as Bobby Portis and Nikola Mirotic.
If that's the case, 2016-17 could be their second consecutive season without a playoff berth.
The last time that happened? All the way back in 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons.
Gordon Hayward
The day before the 2016 NBA draft, Brian Geltzeiler of HoopsCritic.com reported Gordon Hayward wanted out of Utah:
At first glance, it didn’t seem unreasonable. Hayward played for head coach Brad Stevens at Butler, and they’d surely enjoy a reunion.
That part is true, according to Jody Genessy of the Deseret News.
But the notion that the 26-year-old star is unhappy?
Not so much, per Genessy:
"The premise — that Hayward is unhappy and has demanded a trade — simply isn’t true, multiple sources in the Jazz organization and close to Hayward told the Deseret News.
Would Hayward like to play for his old Butler coach and close friend Brad Stevens?
Of course he would. Anybody would be silly to believe otherwise.
Does that mean he’s unhappy in Utah and wants out?
Absolutely not.
"
Of course, Hayward didn’t get traded. In fact, general manager Dennis Lindsey said he wanted to thank “whoever started [the rumor]," because it led to a productive conversation between him, Hayward and head coach Quin Snyder about the Jazz’s future.
Utah hasn’t made the playoffs since the 2011-12 season, Hayward’s rookie year. He has continued to improve in each season, though, and now stands as one of the league’s premier small forwards and the team’s best overall player.
According to Genessy, Hayward “wants better talent around him,” specifically a point guard.
Two days prior to Geltzeiler’s report, the Jazz agreed to a trade with the Indiana Pacers for point guard George Hill. The team seems to be treating Hayward like a star, which made the idea of trading him a head-scratcher.
Could Hayward join forces with Stevens again down the line? Sure.
But as of now, he’s firmly rooted in Utah.
