Bulls Rumors: Latest Buzz Surrounding Pau Gasol, Joakim Noah and More

After a disappointing 2015-16 season, the Chicago Bulls are likely to look very different next season.

The team already dealt former face of the franchise Derrick Rose and almost traded away Jimmy Butler on draft night before deciding against it, per David Aldridge of TNT. Now it seems as though a handful of other players are planning to leave in free agency.

Others who aren't on the market might also be looking at new homes before the start of next season, signifying a massive changing of the guard in Chicago.

It all starts with the frontcourt duo of Pau Gasol and Joakim Noah.

Noah's contract expired at the end of this season, while Gasol had a player option for next year—which he declined on Monday, per ESPN.com's Marc Stein—making both free agents on Friday. 

While the Bulls have a chance to re-sign both veterans, the pair seem destined to search for greener pastures this summer. Both players are over 30 years old and likely won't want to be part of a rebuilding process that is just beginning. With plenty of interest from other teams around the league, this appears to be a good time to make a move.

K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune also noted the addition of center Robin Lopez—acquired in the Rose trade with the New York Knicks—was enough to push out Noah:

ESPN.com's Nick Friedell also indicated the lack of interest from Gasol in returning:

As Johnson added, the organization will show the public it will try to keep both frontcourt stars, but neither is likely to return:

So where will these two former All-Stars go next season? A final destination remains to be seen, but neither will be short on options.

Frank Isola of the New York Daily News reported the Knicks are interested in both players, possibly setting up a reunion with Rose. With the team in desperate need of a center after dealing away Lopez, either player would make sense as the Knicks attempt to get back to the postseason.

Noah has another option in the form of the Washington Wizards, who could offer him a max contract this summer, per Mitch Lawrence of Sporting News. Although the fit is questionable with Marcin Gortat already on the roster, it would be hard to turn down almost $120 million over four seasons, as reported.

Charles Rex Arbogast/Associated Press

Meanwhile, Gasol has the chance to join a top contender in the form of the San Antonio Spurs, especially if Tim Duncan decides to retire. He told Spanish newspaper Marca (via Hoops Hype):  

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There’s talk about passing of the torch with San Antonio and a hypothetical passing of the torch with Duncan. For starters, nobody knows if Tim is retiring and he’s somebody whom I have maximum respect for. In closing, I have to admit the Spurs would be an interesting option for me. I recognize I’m a fan of the way the franchise has done things over the years and the way they play basketball on the court.

"

He might have to take a pay cut in order to make this move work, but it could be one of his best chances to add a third championship ring.

It's clear the odds of either Noah or Gasol sticking around Chicago are slim, and they might not be the only big men heading out of town. According to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, the Bulls could trade Taj Gibson this offseason: 

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To add some further clouds to the Bulls frontcourt rotation, a league source said that the Bulls have been talking to several teams about the possibility of moving Taj Gibson. The power forward is in the final year of his contract, scheduled to make $8.9 million.

If they do in fact send Gibson elsewhere, that would leave a frontcourt of Robin Lopez, Nikola Mirotic, Bobby Portis and Cristiano Felicio, and some serious money to spend.

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Gibson took a step back this past season, averaging just 8.6 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, despite starting the majority of the year. This will no doubt lower his trade value compared to two seasons ago, when he was one of the best sixth men in the NBA. However, any deal would net a greater return than if he just left in free agency next summer.

With all these departures, the Bulls will have a lot of holes to fill on the roster going forward. Cowley speculated second-tier free agents such as Jared Sullinger, Ryan Anderson and Terrence Jones could be possibilities to fill the frontcourt.

Moving to the backcourt, Kendall Gill of CSN Chicago believes Brandon Jennings could be a good fit to replace Rose as the starting point guard. After Jennings' disappointing year with both the Detroit Pistons and the Orlando Magic, Chicago could end up with a high-upside player on a cheap contract—perfect for a team not looking to spend a fortune.

One thing that is clear: The front office will have a lot of work to do in the coming weeks to remake the Bulls' roster.

Follow Rob Goldberg on Twitter for year-round sports analysis.