Nobody really knows what the Bulls are as a team, so with that nobody really know what they’re going to do as the trade deadline approaches.
The team currently sits at second place in the Central Division, and third in the entire Eastern Conference with their 25-18 clip. Center Joakim Noah, who had been disgruntled with his role in Fred Hoiberg’s rotation, re-injured his shoulder a week and a half ago, ultimately eliminating himself from being traded.
Noah, who has only started twice this season, was still unhappy about losing his starting job, according to the CBS report. After the Bulls won seven-of-nine during Noah’s initial injury, trade talks begin to ramp up as he was nearing his return.
From December to even in the last week or so, Taj Gibson has been the newest talk of being traded, along with teammate Pau Gasol. However, with the Bulls being in the top-three in the conference, I don’t see how tearing apart the team does any good for this season. There’s a good argument to make that they won’t win a title this summer (Warriors, Spurs, Cavs, to name a few), but being as high in the standings as they are, it doesn’t make sense.
In discussing possible locations for Gibson, Ogden references Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports who talks of the Bulls wanting to add a talented wing player and moving Gibson (and/or Noah, before his injury) is something the Bulls have considered doing.
Trading Gibson to improve the team’s wing play makes sense, as Bobby Portis is on the bench behind him. Portis is averaging 6.7 ppg and 4.3 rbg in a little over 14 minutes per contest. Per 36 minutes, that equates to 16.6 ppg and 10.6 rbg, along with a little over one assist, steal, and block per game.
Gibson’s numbers would easily help a team improve on a few levels, especially rebounding. In nearly 25 minutes per game, Gibson averages 7.5 ppg, 6.9 rbg, along with 1.5 apg, and one block per game. Ogden notes that Gibson’s average of 3.7 offensive boards per game would be good for number two in the league in his 15 starts at the time. Currently, Gibson is at 2.9 offensive rebounds per game in 25 starts.
A guy that the Bulls could net in return in someone like Ryan Anderson. On the season, Anderson has started six-of-41 games, and averaging 16.8 ppg, which would be the second highest of his career. In doing so, he is shooting 39.1% from behind the arc, and also grabbing six boards per game.
Another name that’s been thrown around is Joe Johnson. I would imagine if the Bulls would entertain this as a viable option, the Nets would have to eat a ton of the money he’s still owed for the season. His worst scoring season since he began starting full-time, Johnson is averaging just over 11 ppg, while chipping in nearly four rebounds and four assists per contest.
In both players’ case, they are UFA after the 2015-16 season ends. Gibson still has the 2016-17 season under contract for a little under $9 million.
Because of the addition of and success Portis has had in his rookie campaign, Gibson has become expendable. If Noah wouldn’t have gotten hurt, I think it’s very possible both players would be gone by the February deadline. But for now, it looks like they can (and should) move Gibson to pair a good winger with (should be All-Star starter) Jimmy Butler.
*picture is courtesy of sportsworldreport.com
