NBA Rumors: Chicago Bulls Reject Pau Gasol trade; Joakim Noah trashes Contract

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 are buried deep in the Eastern Conference. Any hope of finding the Derrick Rose team head to head once again with LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love to unseat the Cleveland Cavaliers this NBA season has been obliterated as of late. Apart from the injuries that plagued Jimmy Butler, Nikola Mirotic, and Joakim Noah, the Chicago Bulls are facing off court issues as well. Sources are claiming that the basketball stars find Fred Hoiberg too inexperienced while others share that the NBA team became too complacent in their status - an observation strengthened by their performances against New York Knicks and Orlando Magic.

To add to the problems of the Chicago Bulls, rumors are now circulating that Pau Gasol no longer wants to re-sign with the team. The Spanish star, who is presumably eyeing an emotional retirement tour like Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant, appears to be mulling over getting out of the troubled Taj Gibson team soon. While both parties have yet to address directly the issue, the recent comments of Gasol are pegged as signs of his imminent exit from the Chicago Bulls.

"Nothing is set right now," responded Gasol when asked about his plans to re-sign with the Chicago Bulls. He added, "Definitely I will evaluate what I need to when the time comes. The way the team has responded to adversity and the way we finished up the season has not been so far great. It's been disappointing. At the end of the day, when the time comes, I will evaluate things. It's hard to finish a season like this so everything will be thought of and considered."

Gasol is one of the most lucrative players on the Chicago Bulls roster. With his expertise and skill, the free agency market for the Black Mamba's close friend will definitely be promising. However, the Chicago Bulls might not be too keen on letting go of Gasol. Despite his injuries, the Spanish star has been one of the most reliable players in the team. Moreover, his experience in the hardwood court makes him an important part of the Chicago Bulls especially with a rookie coach like Hoiberg. Hence, it would take a blockbuster offer for the NBA team to release him.

Meanwhile, another blow for the Chicago Bulls is the absence of Joakim Noah this NBA season.

"Though front-office meetings have yet to finalize the Bulls' Plan A for this offseason, there is strong internal desire to re-sign Noah on a short-term deal," revealed KC Johnson of the Chicago Tribune.

Although the French man had seen his minutes reduced in the early parts of the season, Noah has been known as one of the best leaders in the league. However, the NBA star remains mum on the issue. Adding strength to the rumor that he will opt to get out of the franchise is the false claims of Hoiberg regarding Noah's desire to be an off the bench star as opposed to playing as a starter this season. 

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