The Chicago Bulls are reportedly planning to acquire Pau Gasol if they fail to land Carmelo Anthony, who is expected to announce his free agency decision on Monday.
K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune reported that the Bulls are expected to pursue Gasol if they lose in the Anthony sweepstakes. And if they get a commitment from Gasol, the Bulls will likely engage in a sign-and-trade deal with the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Bulls have no enough cap space to sign Gasol outright, but they are reportedly planning to move Carlos Boozer and his $16.8 million expiring contract to the Lakers along with future assets.
"A source said the Bulls would hope to engage the Lakers in sign-and-trade possibilities should they get a verbal commitment from Gasol. The Bulls would dangle the expiring $16.8 million contract of Carlos Boozer and likely would have to include sweeteners, possibly in the form of draft picks," Johnson reported.
Sources indicated that Gasol has been Chicago's second-best option in this year's free agency as they are looking to improve their chances of winning a title next season.
Gasol is not the typical defensive big man Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau wants in his team, but the 33-year-old center could provide additional scoring option to Chicago, who struggled offensively last season when Derrick Rose went down with another knee injury.
The 13-year-veteran, who previously said that he will prioritize signing with a contender this offseason, averaged 17.4 points to go along with 9.7 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game last season.
Meanwhile, aside from their top free-agent targets, the Bulls are on the verge of adding another major talent with reports indicating that they are close to signing EuroLeague star Nikola Mirotic.
Mirotic, who was the 23rd pick in the 2011 draft by the Houston Rockets before being moved to the Bulls, reportedly secured a $3-million buyout with Real Madrid, which makes him eligible to sign with an NBA team.
Mirotic's arrival won't affect Chicago's pursuit of Antony and Gasol, but they will have no other choice but to strike a sign-and-trade deal either with the Knicks or the Lakers to acquire either of the two superstars.
