The Chicago Bulls traded Luol Deng to the Cleveland Cavaliers last month, but the team is reportedly not yet done dealing as reports suggested that the Bulls could move their tradable assets before the February 20 deadline.
Previous rumors indicated that the Bulls will likely move guards Kirk Hinrich and Mike Dunleavy in the coming weeks, but another player is also drawing the interest of several teams.
The Chicago Sun-Times reported that emerging forward Taj Gibson could also be moved before the deadline as the Bulls are currently getting calls about the availability of the fifth-year power forward.
Sources said that the Los Angeles Lakers, Charlotte Bobcats, and Washington Wizards are high on Gibson, who is having a breakout season this year, averaging career-highs 12.2 points and 1.5 blocks to go along with 6.4 rebounds.
The interested teams had preliminary talks with the Bulls about a potential trade, but the Bulls are still on the fence when it comes to trading the 28-year-old power forward.
Trading Gibson, presumably for future picks or young assets, will hurt the playoff chances of the Bulls this season similar to the deal that sent Deng to Cleveland.
But while it could be considered as a step backward this season, it could lead to a bigger step moving forward as it could create more cap space for them in the offseason.
The Bulls are reportedly looking to acquire another superstar from the free agency market in the offseason with LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony as their top target.
Anthony looms as the more realistic target of the Bulls. According to previous report, the Bulls will be on top of Anthony's list if he decides to leave the New York Knicks in the offseason.
Moving Gibson and the waiving Carlos Boozer using the amnesty clause would give the Bulls a chance to acquire a superstar who could team up with Derrick Rose next season.
"The Bulls probably will use the amnesty clause on Carlos Boozer's contract this summer. It calls for him to make $16.8 million next season. That makes moving Gibson all but a necessity if the Bulls want to stay under the luxury tax and add a max deal. Gibson will make $8 million next season, $8.5 million in 2015-16 season and $8.95 million in the final year of the contract," the Sun-Times reported.
