The Chicago Bulls are struggling with consistency and chemistry. While they still remain contenders in the Eastern Conference, the team is beginning to eye shakeups to the roster with the trading period officially open. The Bulls have the flexibility to make some moves and while they might not be a priority, the team is still planning on exploring options with players like Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson reportedly available.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, the Bulls are willing to move Noah or Gibson in a trade for a talented wing player. Wojnarowski said via his podcast, that the Bulls will not move both Noah and Gibson, but would be willing to add in one player to a trade as they need more shooting on the court. The Bulls have a log jam of big men on the roster right now with Pau Gasol, Nikola Mirotic and Bobby Portis looking for time on the court alongside Noah and Gibson. The Bulls can afford to get rid of at least one of the players in a trade.
Noah along with Gasol will be free agents this summer. Noah's contract expires while Gasol told the Chicago Tribune he expects to opt out. Noah does not have as much value on the market as the Bulls might hope he does. He is 30, injured and not shooting well like he did when he won Defensive Player of the Year. Gibson has more value than Noah does at this moment. He has one more year on his contract worth $8.5 million, but has shown he can be a starter or a reserve and really thrive.
Wojnarowski writes that the Bulls are not planning on rushing into any trades considering they have two months to figure out a move to make. The team was linked to DeMarcus Cousins, but clearly that is not a needed move as scoring is the bigger issue. In the short-term, the Bulls will be without Noah. According to ESPN.com, Noah expects to be out 2-4 weeks with a sprained shoulder. That means Portis will get more time on the court which will give the Bulls to see if he really can be a part of the future of the franchise.
The Bulls need Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler to get better chemistry on the court. Both are trying to figure out how to co-exist as leaders and right now it is not working out well. The Bulls could easily stay put and not make any moves at the trade deadline. Getting rid of Noah or Gibson is not a total priority, but one the Bulls will explore if an offer presents itself.
