The Chicago Bulls took a very disappointing step back this past season, missing out on the playoffs in their first season under head coach Fred Hoiberg. This team is expected to look very different next year, whether they add a few players in free agency to help them become contenders again, or if they start a rebuilding process - and after trading Derrick Rose, it appears that a mass exodus is under way. Here's all the latest rumors you need to know:
Noah won't re-sign with Bulls
The Chicago Bulls have expressed optimism that they can re-sign big man Joakim Noah this offseason, but Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times reports that Noah has no desire to return to the team.
A source close to the situation not only shot down a report last month that the Bulls and Noah were having early “positive dialogue’’ on coming back together, but reiterated a Sun-Times story from late May in which Noah was telling teammates that he had no trust in the direction the front office was taking the team.
According to the source, Noah and his agent, Bill Duffy, have already been gathering information on possible destinations, with a specific priority list in mind. First and foremost, Noah wants a chance to win. Followed closely by a chance to start, as well as finish games, and also a team that will continue to get behind his Noah’s Arc Foundation.
The Knicks are the favorite to sign Noah after trading for Derrick Rose, but the Wizards and Timberwolves are also in the mix. He averaged 4.3 points and 8.8 rebounds per game last season.
Bulls shopping Taj Gibson
Chicago is expected to lose both Noah and Pau Gasol in free agency this offseason, yet there's another big man they're trying to get rid of. According to Cowley, the Bulls are shopping forward Taj Gibson.
To add some further clouds to the Bulls frontcourt rotation, a league source said that the Bulls have been talking to several teams about the possibility of moving Taj Gibson. The power forward is in the final year of his contract, scheduled to make $8.9 million.
If they can get rid of Gibson, Chicago's frontcourt next season would consist of Nikola Mirotic, Bobby Portis, Robin Lopez and Cristiano Felicio.
Gibson averaged 8.6 points and 6.9 rebounds per game last season.
Bulls turned down offer of Crowder, two first-round picks for Butler
Boston and Chicago were actively involved in trade discussions that would've sent All-Star Jimmy Butler to the Celtics on draft night, and more details are emerging about what exactly when on in those negotiations. Via K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune:
The Bulls held advanced discussions with the Celtics centered on Butler and the No. 3 pick, with whom they would’ve selected Providence guard Kris Dunn, league sources said. Several proposals were exchanged, including one with Jae Crowder and the Celtics’ No. 3 and No. 16 picks, league sources said.
Chicago would've drafted former Providence PG Kris Dunn with the No. 3 pick and used Crowder to fill Butler's spot in the starting lineup, while the 16th pick would've been their third in the round. The Bulls ultimately decided not to pull the trigger on a deal, deciding they didn't want to trade Butler one day after they sent Derrick Rose to the Knicks, according to ESPN's Marc Stein.
Boston selected Jaylen Brown with the No. 3 pick and French forward Guerschon Yabusele with the No. 3 pick. Dunn ended up being drafted by the Timberwolves with the No. 5 pick.
Bulls GM Gar Forman has denied that they are shopping Butler.
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