The Chicago Bulls have become accustomed to dealing with injuries on the roster. The team has been learning to adjust since Derrick Rose first got injured. Three issues later and Chicago is still battling for position in the playoff race without their star point guard while other crucial players have been sidelined as well. The secret appears to be a deep bench which could help dictate player's futures in the offseason.
Taj Gibson missed 10 games thanks to an ankle injury that continues to plague his season. The forward is one of the biggest threats coming off the bench, but in his absence the Bulls have had to adjust. Part of that adjustment is giving Nikola Mirotic more minutes on the court, something that is seriously paying off.
According to ESPN's Mike Wilbon, Mirotic has pushed himself into the talk for Rookie of the Year thanks to the 19.2 points and 7.4 rebounds he was averaging with Gibson on the bench. He is proving to be well worth the wait and a potentially crucial piece to Chicago's future success. For the last five seasons, Gibson has anchored the defense for the Bulls, but the additions of Mirotic and Pau Gasol have altered his standing with the team. Now Chicago must decide whom is the best third option for size alongside Joakim Noah.
The Chicago Tribune writes that retaining Jimmy Butler is a priority in the offseason. His contract is expected to be a big salary cap hit which could force the team to have to make moves. Gibson has been on the trade block for almost a year now as his deal goes through the 2017 season. The forward holds a lot of weight and value in the league and if available a number of teams will be targeting him. If the Bulls feel Mirotic is the player of the future, trading Gibson might be the next logical step.
For now, the Bulls are focused on getting healthy all around. Gibson is aware that injuries have set the team back this season and the return of everyone including Derrick Rose will be critical come playoff time.
"Of course we need Derrick,'' Gibson said, via the Chicago Sun-Times. "We went deep in the past with Derrick. We've been doing good all year, but you never know. We've been preparing for this. Basically we've had to deal with this the last couple of years. But you really have to say we can't get over that hump without him. We look forward to him being with us, we want everybody with us, and there's really nobody that can replace a Derrick Rose. That's what I think.''
