It seems like the Chicago Bulls are ready to unload a number of big men to acquire a younger player as they continue their 2015–16 National Basketball Association (NBA) regular season campaign.
In a video by Bleacher Report, NBA analyst Ric Bucher discussed possible trade pieces the Bulls are looking at to achieve what they want with their roster.
Bucher reported that league sources said the Bulls are silently searching for teams interested in Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson, and even Pau Gasol.
The reason for this is the emergence of rookie big man Bobby Portis, who was given a chance after Noah suffered his first shoulder injury of the season.
Portis is currently averaging 6.4 points and 4.3 rebounds in 14.1 minutes of action per contest in 20 regular season games played.
Now that there is a possibility Noah will no longer play this season because of another shoulder woe, the 20-year-old rookie will have to embrace a bigger role with Chicago.
Bucher said that along with Portis starting to play well, another factor that prompts the Bulls to trade these veteran big men is that the team have "one eye looking forward," and does not mind adding "youth" to the team.
Noah is set to be a free agent after the season and recently has been involved in the trade rumor mill because of his reduced role coming off the bench.
The 30-year-old's latest shoulder injury makes him more prone to being shipped to another team and leaving Chicago.
But as Bucher said, it is unlikely that the Bulls will get a blockbuster deal with him since he has an expiring contract and they are still considered as championship contenders.
Bucher said the player that has the biggest impact is Gibson who still has a year left in his current contract with the Bulls.
Meanwhile for Gasol, it is likely that he stays and if ever the Bulls have a potential trade partner, Noah or Gibson are expected to go first before him.
