NBA Trade Rumors: Chicago Bulls Open to Dealing Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson for 'Talented' Wing Player
The Chicago Bulls have lost three straight games and six of their last 10 games heading into the Christmas Day showdown with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Bulls are struggling to find consistency this season and are exploring trade options for Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski in his new "The Vertical" podcast, Chicago is desperate to land a 'talented' wingman in exchange for big men Noah and Gibson, Blog A Bull shared. "Executives around the league and people have told me, that the Bulls are very determined to add a talented wing player," he said.
"Tony Snell has been given a lot of opportunities and he hasn't established himself. I've been told that the Bulls are open to, whether it's Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson, maybe not both of them, but either of them if there's a deal out there that they can bring in the best possible wing player available, they're open to it," Wojnarowski added.
The reporter noted that the Bulls are looking for more shooting to accommodate new head coach Fred Hoiberg's heavy offensive scheme. The team is loaded with big men, but Noah and Gibson are more expensive and older than Nikola Mirotic and Bobby Portis.
The Chicago-Sun Times added that Pau Gasol may also be traded before the trade deadline in February. Gasol will likely opt-out of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season just like Noah, while Gibson is signed through the 2016-2017 season.
The 30-year-old Noah is out for about two weeks with a left shoulder sprain, per Yahoo! Sports. He has been relegated to the bench but has averaged 6.6 points, 9.9 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.5 blocks in 25.4 minutes per game in his past ten games.
On the other hand, Gibson has been involved in trade rumors for two years now but no deal ever takes place. The Bulls may find it difficult to deal big men in the NBA's trade market as Blog A Bull noted that many of the teams are also looking for talented wings.
Chicago is currently at 15-11, seventh in the Eastern Conference standings and is need of improvement. The team also has chemistry issues as of late with All-Star Jimmy Butler criticizing Hoiberg's coaching, as reported by ESPN. Butler's rise has also affected the locker room, especially Derrick Rose, who has been relegated as the second option after numerous injuries the past three seasons.
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