The Chicago Bulls signed Pau Gasol in free agency after attempts to acquire Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James failed to come to fruition. Gasol thrived with the team and is repeating the success this year as he continues to get more and more playing time on the court. As a result, Gasol is aiming to cash in come free agency in 2016 with the opt-out option in his contract. That has caused trade rumors to circle around his name, but the Bulls would rather retain him for the long-term.
Gasol previously told the Chicago Tribune that if he continues to play well and stay healthy he will opt out of the final year of his contract and look to cash in with the rising salary caps. Gasol is planning what a lot of free agents are planning as teams will have more money to spend come the offseason. That has caused trade rumors to swirl around his name as many wonder if the Bulls intend to give him a long-term deal at 35. That caused Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports to report that the Bulls were willing to deal Gasol at the deadline for the right return price.
Marc Stein of ESPN.com is now reporting that instead of trading Gasol, the Bulls actually favor the idea of re-signing him come free agency. This is certainly a change in tune and one that could shift again as the trade deadline gets closer. Right now, the Bulls cannot afford to trade Gasol. Joakim Noah is out for the season after shoulder surgery and Nikola Mirotic is down after having an appendectomy. Gasol is the best frontcourt present the team has at the moment.
Gasol is currently averaging 16.6 points and 10.9 rebounds which makes him primed for a nice contract should those numbers continue, but at 35, just how much is he worth. Gasol is scheduled to earn $7.7 million, but ESPN believes he could likely command $15 million per season with the way he is playing. Right now, Gasol is thriving with the Bulls while showing great chemistry with Rose and Jimmy Butler. Chicago likes the idea of keeping that going.
There is a chance that the Bulls have to decide between Gasol and Joakim Noah. Both players will be looking to get paid this offseason and Chicago will likely only hand out one big contract. Noah told the media that he wants to return to Chicago in free agency as he remains sidelined for the season. The feeling may not be mutual. Noah came into the season struggling and lost his starting job. With the rise of players like Mirotic and Bobby Portis, Noah could be the odd man out come contract time.
