An earlier report stated that the Chicago Bulls were seeking for potential deals involving three of their big men in Pau Gasol, Joakim Noah, and Taj Gibson, but that is no longer the case as injuries start to hit the roster.
According to a tweet by Marc Stein, Gasol is no longer on the trade market for Chicago, with the team planning to re-sign him once he becomes a free agent in the offseason.
Meanwhile Noah, who was frequently involved in trade rumors because of his reduced role, is on the shelf and might be done for the season after a shoulder surgery.
Along with Noah, another big man for the Bulls, forward Nikola Mirotić, is also out and will not return until after the All-Star Weekend (February 12–14), following an appendectomy.
Before these injuries, the Bulls had various options of frontcourt players looking to have significant playing time but were not given the chance because of their number.
Now, the situation allows the remaining players at the power forward and center positions to step up, one of those is Gibson, whose production is decreasing this season.
Because Gibson can have a much bigger role and fill in the gap in the absence of Noah and Mirotić, Stein mentioned in his report that he will likely stay with the team for now.
In 47 games (29 starts) played this season, the 30-year-old is averaging 7.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.1 blocks in 26.2 minutes logged per contest.
Beside Gibson and Gasol getting more minutes, these health setbacks also give rookie power forward Bobby Portis the chance to shine as he continues to improve.
Chicago will unlikely engage in any trade deal as of the moment and keep its present core while contending for a playoff spot this regular season.
The Bulls are fifth in the Eastern Conference standings with a 26–21 record, nine games behind the Cleveland Cavaliers (35–12) for the top spot.
