NBA Rumors: Chicago Bulls Consider Taj Gibson Trade; Pau Gasol, Joakim Noah Still in Danger

By Mitch de Leon
NBA: Chicago Bulls at Minnesota Timberwolves
Feb 6, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Chicago Bulls center Pau Gasol (16) and forward Taj Gibson (22) react during the third quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Timberwolves won 112-105.  Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bulls have been widely reported to be on the lookout for players that can potentially upgrade their roster. Finishing off behind the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference last NBA season, the Derrick Rose squad has been chomping at the bit to get back and beat the LeBron James team this time. However, the Chicago Bulls have fallen at the seventh spot this season and are now lagging behind the Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics and Miami Heat. To add to their worries, the Jimmy Butler squad is actually tied with the Jeremy Lin team - the struggling Charlotte Hornets.

With the NBA trade rumors swirling around the basketball community, the name of Taj Gibson has been unexpectedly added to the list recently. Prior to these updates, the Chicago Bulls were reportedly seeking trade deals for the injury prone Rose and Joakim Noah. Instead of getting anxious over the NBA trade rumors, however, Gibson appears to be taking things in stride.

"I never get that feeling, but you never know," commented Gibson via CBS Chicago, referring to the possibility of him exiting the Chicago Bulls. He added, "An offer could be made, and things could be shaken up. It's a part of the business. It doesn't mean they don't like you or don't appreciate you. It's a business. I totally understand it. But I've been in them my whole career."

The 30-year-old power forward has been with the Chicago Bulls since he declared for the NBA Draft in 2009. He was the 26th overall pick of the former Michael Jordan squad. Despite the uncertainty of his role and future with the Chicago Bulls, Gibson sees a silver lining amid the NBA trade rumors.

"It could be worse," he noted. Gibson added, "Having people not talk about your name at all. But it comes with it when your team's underachieving - you got to kind of shake up things, see what's out there. But I'm no stranger. Since my rookie year, I've been in trade rumors a lot. It's nothing new to me."

As for the Chicago Bulls, KC Johnson of the Chicago Tribune shared via social media that the team does not intend to back down from the terms they seek when it comes to trading Gibson. He shared, "As of now, Bulls haven't budged from seeking player AND first-round pick in any Taj Gibson talks."

Meanwhile, another Chicago Bulls star is surrounded by NBA trade rumors: Pau Gasol. The NBA All-Star, who just finished off his last game with Kobe Bryant, has been attracting trade speculations throughout the season. According to the league sources of The Vertical, Gasol intends to decline his player option for the 2016-17 season. This deal would have given him $7.7 million, but the Spanish star has a better offer in mind. That is, Gasol is reportedly aiming for a contract extension with the Chicago Bulls.

The ailing Frenchman, Noah, has been rumored to be on the trading block as well. Zach Lowe of ESPN noted, "There has never been more noise about the normally dormant Bulls, the last of the obvious mid-tier sellers." He added, "They could re-center their roster on Jimmy Butlerby dealing Mike Dunleavy, Pau Gasol, Joakim Noah and other vets for younger players and draft picks."

At the moment, no official statement has been released by the Chicago Bulls. It remains to be seen if Gasol, Noah and Gibson all make it through the season as teammates of Butler.  

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