Chicago Bulls: Will Taj Gibson And Tom Thibodeau Reunite?

The Chicago Bulls are “retooling,” so could forward Taj Gibson be the next player on the trading block? And if so, could he be headed to the Minnesota Timberwolves?

Just by chance that it is not clear: the Chicago Bulls are in a rebuilding phase.

Which means no one on the current roster is safe from the trading block. No, not even Jimmy Butler, despite general manager Gar Forman recently having said the organization is not shopping him around.

So far, the Bulls have made one major move in trading Derrick Rose, Justin Holiday and a 2017 second-round draft pick to the New York Knicks in exchange for Robin Lopez (not Brook Lopez), Jerian Grant and Jose Calderon.

And there are likely more to come.

Sure whatever happens now may not have the same shock-factor as moving a hometown hero.

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But free agency has not even begun; as a friendly reminder, July 1 marks the day when the league’s free agents can begin taking meetings with potential teams and discussing deals moving forward. Not to mention the many additional trade possibilities the Bulls could work with.

Take letting go of Taj Gibson, for example.

The 31-year-old has been with the team since he was drafted No. 26 overall in 2009. He has averaged 9.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.0 assist and 1.3 blocks over his career, and 8.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.1 blocks during the 2015-16 season.

Having already been a topic of discussion via the trade rumor mill before this year’s NBA trade deadline, according to reports, the forward might have to actually start packing his bags this time around.

Per the Sun Times’ Joe Cowley:

"“To add some further clouds to the Bulls frontcourt rotation, a league source said that the Bulls have been talking to several teams about the possibility of moving Taj Gibson. The power forward is in the final year of his contract, scheduled to make $8.9 million.”"

Obviously this neither confirms nor denies that the front office is looking into moving Gibson, but many are curious as to how he could possibility fit over in Minnesota.

Yes, this would mean Gibson and former head coach Tom Thibodeau would reunite.

Although some may scratch their heads at the thought of this, as the Timberwolves are known for building around fresh, new talent … consider this: no team can survive without the knowledge and leadership of a veteran. And Gibson could provide just that

After all, how many more years does Kevin Garnett really have left in him?

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While Gibson may have thrived in Chicago for a number of years, he does not really seem to fit into head coach Fred Hoiberg‘s system.

And with Rose gone, Pau Gasol opting out of his contract and Joakim Noah wanting to have nothing to do with the organization, it only seems right that Gibson be the next piece moved.

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Chicago Bulls: Will Taj Gibson, Tom Thibodeau Reunite?

By Allana Tachauer | Jun 30, 2016

The Chicago Bulls are “retooling,” so could forward Taj Gibson be the next player on the trading block? And if so, could he be headed to the Minnesota Timberwolves?

More from Hoops Habit