In yet another sign that the Chicago Bulls are gearing up for a rebuild, the team has started shopping forward-center Taj Gibson.
From Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times:
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.
To be honest, this is probably more about capitalizing on an imminent exit than anything else. Gibson just turned 31 and will be a free agent in 2017, at which time he’ll likely command a hefty raise. The Bulls cannot afford to spend that kind of coin on an aging big man, not when they’re clearly trying to start over.
Plus, in a way, they kind of need to move someone. Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol are good as gone in free agency, but the Bulls still have to balance out minutes between Robin Lopez, Nikola Mirotic, Bobby Portis and Cristiano Felicio. Doug McDermott, truth be told, should see spot minutes at the 4 as well.
Gibson should be able to get the Bulls a pick or prospect of somewhat value in return. I mean, Marco Belinelli was worth a first-round selection in the latest draft. He is under contract for one more year than Gibson, but the latter can play center, protect the rim and hit mid-range jumpers. While his expiring contract makes him a rental, he is someone that a contending team in need of frontcourt depth would certainly roll the dice on.
