The Chicago Bulls have a roster that can attract the biggest free agents this summer. With Derrick Rose at point guard, Joakim Noah controlling the defense and a quality bench, it is a prime landing spot for either Carmelo Anthony or LeBron James. As both players plan on meeting with the Bulls about potentially signing, neither want the remaining roster to change.
According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, Anthony will not sign with the Chicago Bulls if it means that Taj Gibson has to be traded. Right now, the Bulls do not want to go into the luxury tax to take on a max contract for the guard. That means if Anthony is going to sign, trades must happen. Gibson is of course bait simply because of his value.
Gibson's contract is not that great. He is set to make $8 million per season until becoming a restricted free agent in 2017. However, the talented forward is on the verge of becoming one of the top players in the league and plenty of teams would be interested in making a deal for him. However, Anthony wants Gibson on the roster if he is going to join.
Gibson was one of the names involved in a deal for Kevin Love. According to ESPN.com, the Bulls placed an offer on the table that consisted of Jimmy Butler and Gibson along with draft picks. No deal was made prior to the NBA Draft, but a trade is not off the table officially, so something could happen in the near future. If Chicago is going to land the Minnesota Timberwolves forward, Gibson must be involved in the trade. That leaves Chicago shorthanded off the bench.
To make room for Anthony, the Bulls could move Carlos Boozer instead. The team has their amnesty clause to work with, but ideal Chicago would prefer to strike a trade instead. There is little to no interest around Boozer and his $16 million contract. Not even the Timberwolves would accept that in a deal. Chicago's best bet is to wipe him off the salary books completely.
No matter what, the Bulls plan on going hard after Anthony. The Chicago Sun Times is reporting that Noah plans on being present in the free agency meeting and is urging Rose to do the same in order to present a united front for Anthony. Chicago has everything the guard wants, so it might just work.
