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The Chicago Bulls’ 2014-15 season hasn’t gone as planned. They’re hovering around the top 10 in both offensive and defensive efficiency, per NBA.com, but the latter standing isn’t what it used to be. Not by a long shot. The Bulls ranked second last year and employ a slew of defensive stoppers, from Joakim Noah to Jimmy Butler to Taj Gibson. Yet, they’ve seemingly inserted themselves into that fringe contender category with the Toronto Raptors and Washington Wizards, as opposed to joining the Atlanta Hawks and the Cleveland Cavaliers (yes, the Cleveland Cavaliers) in the actually contenders circle.
Any number of things have been attributed to their, shall we say, unimpressive season: Noah’s health, Derrick Rose’s rust, Mike Dunleavy’s absence, Tom Thibodeau’s body-brutalizing minutes management, Thibs actually having to play a rookie (Nikola Mitotic) and, most importantly, the absence of an elite wing scorer. The Bulls whiffed on Carmelo Anthony and never really found a replacement. They’ve been pretty darn good with Dunleavy on the floor, but injuries have severely limited his availability.
Which brings us to the here and now.
According to the Sporting News’ Sean Deveney (hat tip to Blog A Bull), Gibson may now be on the trade block:
Gibson’s name has been connected to much of the league over the last few months, from Los Angeles to Toronto to Phoenix to Detroit to Portland.
In recent weeks, he has not played with the type of energy for which he has been known, and there has been speculation that he is frustrated with the addition of Nikola Mirotic and Pau Gasol (though his playing time has not changed much). Gibson still has two years and $17.4 million on his deal, which is a problem in moving him.
First, his contract isn’t a “problem.” It’s a freaking bargain when you consider how well he protects the rim and the cap boon the NBA is headed for.
Second, this doesn’t make too much sense. The Bulls aren’t going to match Gibson’s outgoing value. Employing Noah, Gibson and Pau Gasol is overkill, and they could sure use a wing scorer, but who are they going to get? Wilson Chandler? Arron Afflalo? It’s difficult finding someone who rakes in a similar salary compared to Gibson. The Bulls don’t have the cap flexibility to pull off a blockbuster unless they include even more contracts, making a Gibson trade beyond on likely.
And that’s fine.
The Bulls are better off trying to get healthy and hoping this dilemma sorts itself out. They have the talent to contend already. They might as well go down riding that talent as opposed to making a move that probably won’t move the needle to the degree they need it moved.
