Trade rumors have already begun involving Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson. Basketball Insiders' Joel Brigham believes Gibson might be a possibility for the Toronto Raptors, if Chicago chooses to make him available.
Gibson became the subject of trade rumors after his strong season last year. He proved, despite coming off the bench, he's a starting-caliber power forward. Chicago's crowded frontcourt - Pau Gasol and Nikola Mirotic - and the team's need for a wing player has some people believing Gibson will be on the move before the February trade deadline passes.
One team, according to Brigham, possibly interested in Gibson is Toronto. The only problem is their lack of trade assets.
"There aren't a lot of top-flight power forwards available right now (everybody's super optimistic about where they stand right now), but there's no way the Raptors are going to get someone great without giving up some assets," Brigham wrote Wednesday. "(Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri) has been great about accumulating picks, so he's got some things to work with, but getting a top-flight PF won't be easy. Taj Gibson might become available, and he'd be a fun guy to have in there."
Toronto might not have the assets to convince Chicago to part with Gibson, but that doesn't mean Gibson won't be playing for another team this season.
"I think that it's time to move Taj Gibson to get some more fire power out on the wing, where I feel they're lacking, around Derrick Rose," Basketball Insiders' Yannis Koutroupis wrote Thursday. "His value around the league is greater than it is for the Bulls right now. Kevin Martin would work this year, but he's 31 and has three years left on his deal at about $7 million per. It's a bad long-term move for the Bulls, especially considering his lackluster defensive abilities, lack of playoff experience and injury history - although in his defense he's missed very little time the last two seasons.
"I'd really like to see Avery Bradley on the Bulls, although I'm not sure how much interest the Celtics would have in Gibson. They can afford to lose Bradley, though."
Gibson averaged 13.0 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game last season.
