NBA Rumors: Chicago Bulls Trade Pau Gasol; Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson Mull Over Move to Kawhi Leonard Team

By Mitch de Leon
NBA: Chicago Bulls at Miami Heat
Mar 1, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Chicago Bulls center Pau Gasol (16) is pressured by Miami Heat forward Justise Winslow (20) during the second half at American Airlines Arena.  Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bulls are in the midst of rebuilding a championship team following their disappointing performance in the 2015-16 season - the year that saw them miss the NBA playoffs 2016. Despite the superstars in the Jimmy Butler roster, the group still failed to beat even just the likes of New York Knicks which only had Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis carrying their team. The embarrassing losses throughout the NBA season eventually caught up with the Chicago Bulls and reports are rife that heads are going to roll soon.

One of the most widely talked about Chicago Bulls star is Pau Gasol. The Spanish star, who worked hand in hand with Kobe Bryant to win a championship ring for the Los Angeles Lakers in the past, has been reportedly unhappy with the Derrick Rose team. Amid the promises of a better squad, the Chicago Bulls front office appears to be running out of ways to keep Gasol with the group.

The possibility of Gasol leaving the Chicago Bulls becomes even more probable with recent reports that the San Antonio Spurs are looking into signing the Spanish star. While the move has yet to be officially confirmed, it looks like younger brother Marc Gasol of the Memphis Grizzlies is all in for the possible contract of the Chicago Bulls star in the Kawhi Leonard team.

"For what the franchise represents, by the way they work, how they treat their players, their winning culture: no matter what they follow a defined course and do not change," shared Marc Gasol of his reason for pushing older brother Pau in the San Antonio Spurs. In earlier reports, the Memphis Grizzlies star also pointed out how the LaMarcus Aldridge team helps the veteran stars contribute more to the team despite their age and injuries. If the current conditions of Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan are to be the evidence for this claim, then Pau Gasol has nothing to be worried about in the San Antonio Spurs.

Meanwhile, another Chicago Bulls star is said to be possibly leaving the NBA team. With the contract of Tim Thibodeau with the Minnesota Timberwolves, sources are noting that the French man might be shipped to the Andrew Wiggins team soon. Given the relationship of Thibodeau with Noah, this might be a likely option for the Chicago Bulls star who reportedly got irked with the coaching style of Fred Hoiberg.

"League sources tell Sporting News that Thibodeau has targeted Joakim Noah, who is an unrestricted free agent and has an interest in leaving Chicago and re-joining Thibodeau," revealed Mitch Lawrence.

As for Taj Gibson, one of the Chicago Bulls stars who openly shared his disappointment over their performance last NBA season, rumors are rife that he might be gone by the next basketball year as well. While the star expressed his frustration over the changes in the team and its staff, it looks like the feeling might be mutual. That is, the Chicago Bulls might be looking into deals that can Gibson off their hands by the next NBA season.

"At the NBA's trade deadline this past season, there were rumors that Taj Gibson was available," shared Michael Kanoy of Fan Sided. He added, "This summer, the Bulls ought to revisit moving Gibson out of Chicago. Over the last two years, Gibson has noticeably less hops on his defense after all the bang-up games he endured with former Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau."

What do you think? Should the Chicago Bulls simply let go of all these veteran stars to make way for fresh blood next NBA season? Can Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler keep the group afloat while the front office searches for new stars to add in the roster? Or are Pau Gasol, Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson too crucial in the success of the Chicago Bulls?

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