The Chicago Bulls have a lot of size on their roster and a lot of quality size at that. The team already had Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson on their roster. Then the Bulls added Nikola Mirotic and Pau Gasol in the offseason via the draft and free agency. Clearly there is not room on the court for all of that size, forcing some to the bench more times than they would like. Gasol has been the odd man out lately and he is not thrilled about that.
The Bulls have been playing around with their starting lineup during the preseason and while Gasol is in it more times than not, he is being forced to the bench late in games. Gasol signed with the Bulls in free agency to be their third star of the team and is not happy he continues to be replaced.
"We're just trying to figure it out, take it one game at a time, but obviously I would like to be on the floor when the game is on the line. That's what I've been getting paid for my entire career, and that's what I will continue to do. No, no, that's not a good sign when you're put in that position because the coach doesn't rely on you to deliver in those minutes,'' Gasol said, via the Chicago Sun Times. "So basically he doesn't trust you. He trusts someone else to do the job. So it's not a good sign for you.''
Right now, Noah does not leave the court. Being the reigning Defensive Player of the Year gets a player that opportunity. Gibson has also emerged as one of the premier big men in the league as he leads off the bench. Mirotic is young and athletic. Both Noah and Gibson have looked much better than Gasol to start the year off even though the veteran has the contract of a full-time player.
One thing that could come as the season progresses is a trade of one of the big men. Considering someone talented is going to get left on the bench more times than not, the Bulls will see the value in finding a deal. This could be where Gibson is left out. The young power forward has been mentioned several times in rumors during the offseason, surviving all of them. However, Steve Kyler of BasketballInsiders.com speculates that Gasol could be a mid-season deal for Chicago if Gasol looks strong in the offense. Head coach Tom Thibodeau is still working out the right rotation for the team which will be a big factor in future moves.
"There are still (things to be determined), because you haven't seen guys play together for an extended period of time," Thibodeau said, via ESPN.com. "But yeah, the guys who have been here before, you have an idea of what they can do together because they have been here, but there are a lot of new guys. You have the two rookies, you have Aaron, you have Pau. That's a lot. We have to be ready. When that first game comes, everyone's game has to be sharp. You have to be on top of it. There are no shortcuts in preparation. There are not. I have never seen that before. The work has to be done."
