The Logical Bulls Trade Options That No One Is Talking About

Everyone's talking about Jimmy Butler and the Boston Celtics as the NBA trade deadline approaches. The two teams engaged in talks about Butler before last season's deadline, and again leading up to the 2016 draft. But sources suggest Chicago and Boston haven't had substantial talks about Jimmy since draft night last year. Also, K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune reported earlier today that the Bulls are telling interested teams they have no plans to trade Butler. For now, it looks like Jimmy will stay. So let's spend some time focusing on a different path the Bulls can take to be active (and progressive) before the deadline: trade impending free agent Taj Gibson. ESPN's Brian Windhorst believes Chicago's front office is shopping Gibson, as well as Nikola Mirotic.

"I do think the Bulls are in the market, especially with Taj Gibson and Nikola Mirotic...I think they're really motivated to trade one or the other before Thursday." - Brian Windhorst

Let's ignore Mirotic for now. Despite some rumblings about the Clippers being interested in Brickola, finding a buyer for Gibson seems much more likely. The market for Taj (given the trades of Serge Ibaka and DeMarcus Cousins) probably won't yield the lottery pick the Bulls want, but he can possibly fetch a lower first round pick or second round picks. At least two contending teams could use Gibson's services for the playoff push: Boston and Houston.

Consolation Taj

So the Celtics don't get Butler. They're also reportedly in the market for a big. Adding a strong interior defender and reliable offensive contributor like Gibson would be a great backup plan to bolster their roster in anticipation of a showdown with Cleveland. Celtics Receive: PF/C Taj Gibson Bulls Receive: PF Amir Johnson, 2019 lottery-protected first round pick (via Clippers) [caption id="attachment_84199" align="alignnone" width="770"] Courtesy of ESPN's NBA Trade Machine[/caption] Gibson is an upgrade over Johnson in just about every category. He's more versatile offensively with decent post moves and a reliable midrange jumper. Taj is a strong rebounder on both ends, which the Celtics desperately need. They currently rank 24th in offensive boards and 26th in defensive boards per game. His defense is also far superior to Johnson's as he's more adept at journeying out of the paint to contain stretch forwards and guards on the perimeter. That skill would be a welcome relief to Al Horford, whose perimeter switches are a vulnerability in Boston's defense. Assuming the Butler trade doesn't happen, the Celtics will try to preserve cap space for the upcoming offseason to pursue big name free agents. Bringing in Gibson on a half-season loan fits with that plan, as they can let him sign elsewhere this summer. Johnson, like Gibson, will be an unrestricted free agent. So the Bulls don't need to worry about taking on his contract. They can waive him, try to negotiate a buyout or simply bench him and then let him walk. In the meantime, Fred Hoiberg could promote Bobby Portis. Elevate the young power forward's minutes in the final 25 games to see if he's a project worthy of further investment.

Add-On

If the Bulls have decided to give up on sharpshooter Doug McDermott (as he's reportedly being shopped) they could add him into this deal for another pick. It's very unlikely Boston would surrender any of their first round picks for Doug, but a second round pick is feasible. The Celtics have plenty of those to offer in 2017, including picks owed to them by Minnesota, the Clippers and Cavaliers. Boston could toss in another waive/buyout player like James Young to match the contracted money involved, and the deal still works. [caption id="attachment_84203" align="alignnone" width="770"] Courtesy of ESPN's NBA Trade Machine[/caption] Granted, the Celtics haven't knowingly expressed any interest in Gibson or McDermott. They are looking for a big man, and Gibson fits their immediate needs and flexible future plans. Convincing them to take Doug might be more difficult, which is why a player-for-player&pick trade involving Gibson seems more likely. Now let's look at a challenger out West...

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Fear The Bald

Houston Rockets fans love their "Fear the Beard" motto that celebrates the offensive juggernaut that is James Harden. On the defensive end, Harden's fear factor equals that of a newborn puppy. If the Rockets (currently 3rd in the West) want to seriously contend with Golden State or San Antonio to reach the Finals, they need defensive help. Houston ranks 16th in defensive rebounding. Gibson could help them increase those numbers and improve their awful rim protection. The Rockets surrender the highest field goal percentage (64.6%) to their opponents on shots less than five feet from the hoop. Taj's stiff interior defense (50.6% field goals against at the rim) is significantly better than Houston bigs Ryan Anderson (55.9%), Nene (54.1%) and Montrezl Harrell (52.1%). Just like with Boston, Gibson's expiring contract would give Houston flexibility in the upcoming offseason. Rockets Receive: PF/C Taj Gibson Bulls Receive: SF Corey Brewer, Rockets' 2017 first round pick [caption id="attachment_84206" align="alignnone" width="770"] Courtesy of ESPN's NBA Trade Machine[/caption]

All About The Picks

Veteran winger Corey Brewer is in serious decline and he's not giving the Rockets much in his 16 minutes per game this season. He has another year left on his current contract for $7.5 million. The Bulls could waive Brewer and hope he gets plucked by somebody, or negotiate a buyout. Just like the Celtics trade, this would allow Hoiberg and GarPax to take a closer look at Portis while adding to their draft stock. The Rockets may not see Taj as being worthy of their first round pick, even though it will likely be in the high twenties. If that's the case, they could instead offer two second round picks, as they're owed second rounders in 2017 from both Denver and Portland. Based on the current NBA standings, the Blazers pick would come in at #40 and the Nuggets pick at #44. Seeing as the Bulls owe their 2017 second round pick to New York from the Derrick Rose trade, this would offset that loss. (Assuming the post-Boogie Kings drop into the bottom ten and keep that protected pick, the Bulls would get their second round pick too. That, plus this Rockets trade, means two or three chances for Chicago's front office to get lucky on a second round prospect.) Trading Taj will be tough on the fanbase that's come to love his "hard hat and lunch pail" work ethic and leadership. He should go down as one of the most underrated and underappreciated Bulls of all time. Making improvements to his game every year. Always selfless. Always ready to play whatever role is needed while putting the team first. But at 31 years old and big free agency offers on the horizon, keeping him through the rest of this lost season makes no sense. If GarPax can orchestrate either of these deals with Boston or Houston, getting some form of draft pick(s) in return, they absolutely must. They have less than 48 hours to make it happen.