The Chicago Bulls made one small move at the trade deadline, but overall the team stayed quiet despite the rumors. Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Bulls were receiving a lot of interest in Pau Gasol at the trade deadline, but opted in the end to deal. Gasol has the chance to be a free agent in the coming months, but general manager Gar Forman believes he can stick around for a few more years.
Gasol has already stated his desire to opt out of his player option this summer and test free agency. That drove trade rumors to his name as many believed the Bulls would deal Gasol in fear of losing him for nothing in return. At one point in time, Gasol was signed in free agency to be the x-factor for the playoffs. That has not come to fruition, but Forman believes the 35-year-old can be a critical piece of the franchise for years to come.
"We see him as a big piece of what we're doing today and in the future," Forman said, via ESPN.com. We value Pau. And Pau wasn't shopped. We see him as part of our core."
The question is whether or not that remains true come free agency. Gasol told the Chicago Tribune that he would like to return to Chicago in free agency. He made it clear he did not request a trade from the franchise and is instead focused on improving and coming back for the future. The Bulls will have to make a decision. They can keep Gasol or re-sign Joakim Noah who is out for the year with a shoulder injury while preparing for free agency. Both players want to return, but the chance they both get re-signed are slim.
"I'm happy here. I like a lot of things about my situation here. Now let's see if we can make the basketball better," Gasol said, via the Chicago Tribune. "That would be ideal. If we can fix that, it's obviously something I would want to continue to be a part of."
Right now, the Bulls could not afford to trade Gasol. With Jimmy Butler dealing with a knee injury and Nikola Mirotic suffering from complications from appendicitis, the team cannot let another big go. The Bulls are falling further from playoff contention as the injuries stack up. The lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers following the All-Star break. Forman told ESPN that he is not happy with how things have unfolded this year as he hopes change comes.
"I'm like the fans," Forman said, via ESPN.com. "I'm disappointed. I think everybody here holds themselves accountable. We hold ourselves accountable for where we are today."