Daily Knicks
Fansided

Knicks Trade Rumors: High-Profile Players Surfacing On Trade Market

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 2, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Lakers point guard Lou Williams (23) warms up before the start of their game against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Lakers 113-80. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 2, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Lakers point guard Lou Williams (23) warms up before the start of their game against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Lakers 113-80. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
Jan 24, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA;Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson (22) drives to the basket as Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) defends during the second half at Amway Center. Chicago Bulls defeated the Orlando Magic 100-92. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA;Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson (22) drives to the basket as Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) defends during the second half at Amway Center. Chicago Bulls defeated the Orlando Magic 100-92. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Taj Gibson, Chicago Bulls

Position: Forward/Center
Age: 31 (6/24/1985)
Experience: 8th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .519/.167/.709
2016-17 Season Averages: 27.3 MPG, 11.6 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 2.2 ORPG, 1.1 APG, 0.9 BPG

The Chicago Bulls are in shambles and the front office is shouldering a vast majority of the blame. The firing of Tom Thibodeau didn’t include the ridding or appeasing of his loyal players, which has thus led to the possibility for a high-profile trade to be made in 2017.

According to Sean Deveney of Sporting News, the Bulls were engaged in trade talks with the Toronto Raptors about a potential Taj Gibson trade.

"According to league sources, the Raptors have been actively involved discussions for at least three power forwards: Serge Ibaka of Orlando, the Nuggets’ Danilo Gallinari and the Bulls’ Taj Gibson."

Toronto ended up trading for Ibaka, but the fact that Gibson was involved in trade rumors validates the belief that he could be dealt.

The New York Knicks could realistically make a move for Gibson. It would likely cost some combination of Brandon Jennings, Mindaugas Kuzminskas, Lance Thomas, and a draft pick, however, and Chicago could set an even higher asking price.

Meeting the asking price may have been fair in previous seasons, but Gibson is now 31 years of age and on an expiring contract.

New York’s best bet may be to wait it out and attempt to sign the Brooklyn native during the 2017 offseason. Trading essentially pieces—namely the draft pick—would be a tough maneuver to stomach given the mistakes of past regimes.

New York needs as many first-round draft picks as it can get, which is why trading for Gibson may not be the most realistic of options—no matter appealing it may be.

Home/Knicks Rumors