NBA Trade Rumors: Best Landing Spots for Taj Gibson

Dec 25, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson (22) drives to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) during the first half of a NBA basketball game on Christmas at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jan 6, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) looks on during the first quarter of a game against the Dallas Mavericks at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

1. New Orleans Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans are reportedly open to trading Ryan Anderson due to the uncertainty surrounding his expiring contract. Taj Gibson, who’s under contract through 2016-17, could be the perfect player to swap him for.

Gibson doesn’t have Anderson’s shooting range, but he could be the defensive complement to Anthony Davis that Omer Asik has failed to be.

Asik is in the first season of a five-year contract worth roughly $58 million, but he’s been unable to maintain a consistent role—primarily due to his fundamental limitations on both ends. Gibson won’t win any scoring titles, but he’s a competent offensive player who provides a more versatile defensive impact than Asik.

Whether he’s an undersized 5 or playing the 4 alongside a shifted-over Davis, Gibson can be the enforcer that New Orleans is currently lacking.

More hoops habit: Is Anthony Davis one of the Top 10 players in the NBA?

Anderson isn’t the perimeter player that Chicago is searching for, but he’s perfect for Fred Hoiberg’s offense. His ability to space the floor, work the post, and crash the offensive boards would make him an excellent fit, specifically if Nikola Mirotic struggles in the short-term.

There’s no such thing as a perfect fit, but New Orleans would be very close to it for the 30-year-old Gibson.

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