The Chicago Bulls are facing a handful of decisions to make with three months left before the start of training camp. One of which decision is the future of bruising power forward Taj Gibson, who is viewed by many analysts as the odd man out on that current roster.
Gibson, who averaged 8.6 points and 6.9 rebounds per game in his career, enters the final year of his deal with the Bulls. Entitled to receive $8.5 million, Gibson should be considered a bargain, considering his production and the current market.
After pulling off a slew of moves this offseason - including the trade that sent franchise player Derrick Rose to New York, the Bulls are far from done.
Many NBA followers believe their next move is to solve the logjam on their frontline with Gibson, Nikola Mirotic, and second-year forward Bobby Mortis fighting for minutes in that slot.
According to veteran Bulls beat writer Sam Smith, the Bulls wouldn't dare to trade Portis, a 2016 NBA Summer League first-team member. As a matter of fact, he thinks the Bulls might actually make a move to free-up minutes for the versatile power forward.
The 21-year old Portis is a high motor big that can hit that shot beyond the arc. In his rookie season, the former Arkansas Razorbacks standout shot 30 percent from deep while averaging 7.0 points and 5.4 rebounds in just under 18 minutes of play.
With Portis primed to get a larger role with the Bulls next season, someone in that frontline has to give in for him. Gibson, given his contract situation, might have played his last game as a Bull.
Brian Mazique of Forbes is a proponent of the idea of trading Gibson simply because he will just impede the development of Portis whose playing style meshes well with the Bulls' current roster.
"Part of the objective of the 2016-17 season should be bringing the team's young frontcourt along. That can't happen if Gibson is playing 28-32 minutes per night.
It's unclear what the Bulls could get back for Gibson, but targeting players who can provide outside shooting would be a smart approach," Mazique stated.
Gibson is still a highly productive player, making it easy for the Bulls to find a taker for him. The Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics and even the Philadelphia 76ers have been mentioned as potential landing spots for him, though it won't be surprising if other teams express their interest in the coming weeks.