Chicago Bulls Rumors…Taj Gibson On The Move?

Welcome to another episode of Chicago Bulls Rumors! This segment is the most popular one on Pippen Ain’t Easy, your best choice for Chicago Bulls news, previews and reviews. It seems that a certain rumor that started in the summer just will not go away. Stop me if you haven’t heard about this player being traded.

Taj Gibson is rumored to be on the move…again.

Oct 7, 2014; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson (22) shoots in the first half against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

I think Taj Gibson is the only one besides me that is really sick and tired of hearing these rumors fly. The problem is that this is business on the NBA. Plus, the Luol Deng trade last year has shown us all that everyone is expendable in the Chicago Bulls organization…except Jerry Reinsdorf.

I made a declaration in the Milwaukee Bucks recap that Tony Snell is right now on the trading block.  It seems that Tom Thibodeau has no intentions of putting Snell in the Chicago Bulls rotation this year. The franchise has put their efforts into giving Doug McDermott every chance to succeed this year.

Mike Dunleavy is getting older and is in his last year of his contract. The Chicago Bulls have been trying to trade him away since the All-Star break last year. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to flip him for another younger player and slide Jimmy Butler to the small forward spot.

There’s only one issue with this scenario. These are wing players which presents a problem on the  depth chart for the Chicago Bulls. To move Jimmy Butler, the Bulls have to get someone to fill the shooting guard slot who can consistently score on a nightly basis. If you have been paying attention to the Chicago Bulls rumors over the summer, one name came up.

Mar 3, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Kevin Martin (23) shoots the ball over Denver Nuggets guard Randy Foye (4) during the second half at Pepsi Center. The Timberwolves won 132-128. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Kevin Martin.

I’ve said earlier when these rumors started that financially it didn’t make sense considering that Jerry Reinsdorf watches every dime like its his last. But basketball wise, it might become more fact than fiction if these rumors persist.

Like it or not Pippen Peoples, it looks like the Chicago Bulls are not going to be that feel good overcoming the odds to be a success story this year. The media and fans have a legitimate belief that with a healthy Derrick Rose, the Bulls are title contenders. If the Bulls start to struggle at any point during the season, they will probably make moves at the trade deadline ot even earlier. There is a rule of thumb that I always live by in doing business…if you don’t give, you don’t get. That’s how it is in America.

In simpler terms, for the Bulls to make a deal, they are going to have to part with their most valuable trade chip…Taj Gibson.

Sure the Bulls struck out with the A-list players such as Carmelo Anthony, but they signed Pau Gasol, brought in Nikola Mirotic, drafted Cameron Bairstow and resigned Nazr Mohammed. Throw in Joakim Noah and you have a very crowded frontcourt if you place Taj Gibson in the mix. With Pau Gasol having a strong preseason, the Bulls might use Taj Gibson in a trade for a swingman or a two guard.

Why you ask?

Believe it or not, the Chicago Bulls may already think they have enough on the frontline with Pau Gasol to the point that they can do without Gibson. You might think I’m crazy but this is the same franchise that basically dumped Luol Deng for salary cap space. Have you heard anyone in the front office say…Taj Gibson is not going anywhere? No.

Taj Gibson was in trade rumors for weeks with Minnesota with the Kevin Love trade. Then a few weeks later, Kevin Martin.

Minnesota wants Kevin Martin out-of-town. They don’t need him. The Timberwolves have moved on with Andrew Wiggins and will resign their resident bricklayer Ricky Rubio next offseason. If they can convince the Bulls to take on Martin’s salary along with J.J. Barea just to take Tony Snell and Mike Dunleavy off the Bulls hands, no problem…

Only if Taj Gibson is in the deal.

According to Yannis Koutroupis of BasketballInsiders.com, if the Bulls want to make a move, it will be sooner rather than later. This means Taj Gibson won’t grow stale under the constant rumors like Carlos Boozer was. Believe it or not there are other NBA teams that value Taj Gibson more than the Bulls right now. It looks like the Bulls value a wing player to team up with Derrick Rose more than bringing Gibson off the bench.

Let’s make this VERY CLEAR here. This trade is ridiculous and will hurt the Bulls in the short-term AND long-term. As of right now, the Bulls do not need to mess with the team’s defensive chemistry. If the Bulls value defense so much, then keep the man. Plus Gibson will get you a double double off the bench, which is already shaky as it is.

Furthermore, if it is true that the Chicago Bulls value Gibson less than other NBA teams, they need to check themselves. This team needs Gibson on the roster. He does NOT need to be traded. Joakim Noah is coming off knee surgery. Pau Gasol is 34 years old. The Bulls need to keep their depth in frontcourt in case one or both of these guys go down to injury. But I warn you Pippen Peoples, what once was a silly rumor might become a reality if the Bulls stumble out the gate.

Well Pippen Peoples, what do you think? Is this a fantasy or reality? Leave your comments down below and let your voices be heard. Keep it locked to Pippen Ain’t Easy to get all of your information on all the Chicago Bulls rumors going forward. Pippen Ain’t Easy is your best source for Chicago Bulls news, previews and reviews.