The Atlanta Hawks and Chicago Bulls are two of the many teams that need to make changes in their roster. While adding key players would be the usual trend for both teams this summer, the Hawks and Bulls have some players they need to ditch to make way for a better lineup.
Adam Fromal of Bleacher Report believes the Bulls should move on from retaining free agent center Pau Gasol, while the Hawks should embrace the possibility of trading away Jeff Teague to make way for the development of backup point guard Dennis Schroder.
Following a disappointing season, the Bulls are left with uncertainty with their key players, with Gasol and Joakim Noah exploring free agency and the potential exit of Derrick Rose after the next season. Chicago would surely make a run to retain either of the free agent big men, but, according to Fromal, making a run at the 7-footer Spaniard this summer would compromise the franchise's future.
"If Gasol is retained, they may sneak into the playoffs next season. Maybe they'll even climb higher up the Eastern Conference ladder and prove their lottery finish in 2015-16 was nothing more than an aberration," Fromal wrote. "But unless they let Gasol walk and focus on improving the organization's long-term fortunes, they'll be accepting that their ceiling falls well short of a title."
Gasol has admitted his first choice would still be the Bulls, although there is a growing sense the two-time NBA champ would join a strong title contender like the San Antonio Spurs. In a recent interview with Spanish media outlet Marca as reported by CBS Sports, the 35-year-old revealed his the Spurs would be an "interesting option" for him.
Meanwhile, the Hawks also faces an odd situation of trading away Teague to reach the full potential of Schroder, who has been an essential part of the team's success during the regular season and playoffs.
Schroder has gradually earned plenty of minutes off the bench since being drafted in 2013. In the 2015-2016 season, the 22-year-old point guard logged 20.3 minutes off the bench, while averaging 11.0 points and 4.4 assists per game.
On the other hand, Teague has also posted solid numbers in the past season, averaging 15.7 points and 5.9 assists per game during the regular season, but Schroder, at times, was fielded to close games.
According to Kathryn Morrison of Sports Illustrated's Fansided, teams like the Philadelphia 76ers and Indiana Pacers could be interested in signing Teague if the Hawks decide to trade their starting PG.
The Hawks have yet to confirm whether they have serious intentions to move Teague, although there is a possibility a deal could happen, with Atlanta needing salary cap space to retain Al Horford and Kent Bazemore, who both hit free agency in July.