Joakim Noah may be on his way out of the Bulls lineup. (Photo : REUTERS)
The Chicago Bulls arey exploring trade possibilites for both Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson as they try to keep Jimmy Butler for the long-term.
The former Defensive Player of the Year, Noah, had knee surgery last season while Gibson just underwent ankle surgery.
No team has so far expressed interest for Noah and Gibson just yet.
The two players became dispensible with the success of Pau Gasol and Nikola Mirotic.
Pau Gasol resurrected his career last season in Chicago and will continue to be a mainstay in the Bulls frontcourt rotation while Mirotic looks to build on his solid rookie season and by contributing consistently.
Drafting Bobby Portis, a 6-foot-11-inch power forward from the University of Arkansas, would make the transition easier.
The No. 22 pick in the draft, Portis will help the front court off the bench and could inserted as a starter if necessary.
In college, Portis averaged 15 points per game while shooting 53 percent and grabbing 7.9 rebounds in 28.5 minutes per game. He was named 2015 SEC Player of the Year.
Bulls GM Gar Forman said that the upside with Portis is his ability to play inside and outside aside from his work ethic and character
The Bulls expected Portis to go earlier in the draft and were thrilled when he was still available during their turn at number 22.
Bull head coach Fred Hoiberg revealed that Bulls executives were unanimous that Portis was the right pick.
The Bulls continue to try to fortify their roster to include players that will fit within Hoiberg's system. The Portis selection shows that the team is moving on from the defense oriented big men that to big men that can move stretch both sides of the floor and score in many ways.
Meanwhile, Butler wants a short-term deal and will not accept a max contract so that he can capitalize when the salary caps expand.
