NBA trade news: Bulls shopping Gasol, Gibson and Noah for defensive wingman, Rockets' Corey Brewer possible target

The Chicago Bulls are rumoured to be shopping their frontcourt arsenal of big men in an attempt to get a defensive wingman or a quality stretch four.

The Bulls are currently third in the Eastern Conference with a 22-15 record. However, they have lost their last three games and cannot afford to lose more contests in the East, where there is stiff competition for a playoff spot.

Kurt Helin of NBC Sports believes the Bulls are not a title contender yet, with their struggles mainly the concern. But Helin admitted the Bulls could get closer to be a legitimate favourite to win the championship if they consider a trade.

According to Ric Bucher of Bleacher Report, the Bulls are gauging other teams’ interests in Pau Gasol, Taj Gibson, and Joakim Noah, with the emergence of rookie Bobby Portis. Bucher’s speculations is nothing new, with the Bulls already made the trio available earlier this season. But considering the Bulls’ frontcourt logjam, Noah’s unhappiness in his decreased role, and Gibson’s trade value, and Gasol exploring the market next summer, a trade seems very likely before the deadline.

“League sources say the Chicago Bulls have been checking on interest in one of their three bigs on the front line: Taj Gibson, Joakim Noah, and even at one point Pau Gasol,” Bucher said. “They are looking to get a young talent back, doesn’t matter whether it’s a defensive wing or a genuine stretch four.”

Michael Saenz of Sports Illustrated’s Fansided believes the Bulls are in great need of a top-talented small forward, who could serve as backup for Chicago’s budding star Jimmy Butler. Saenz noted that Mike Dunleavy, the Bulls’ other reliable SF last season, has suffered a setback in his rehab and not expected to play this season until February or March, giving Chicago the more reason to acquire a wing.

“The Bulls can’t afford to wait until then, and hope he still has the capability to be the player he was a season ago,” Saenz added. “The need to make a move now, even if that isn’t their MO.”

There is very limited defensive wingman available on the trading block, which means the Bulls would need to create an enticing deal to land a quality SF. But one possible target for the Bulls would be Houston Rockets small forward Corey Brewer.

Brewer has been involved in trade talks last year as part of a potential deal for the Rockets that would acquire disgruntled forward Markieff Morris of Phoenix Suns, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein. In Real GM’s trade checker, a straight swap of Brewer for Gibson is possible.

However, the Rockets are over the cap limit, which means they may try to include other expiring contracts in a deal. Another trade scenario would include Noah and Gibson for Brewer and Ty Lawson. Adding Lawson in the deal would address Chicago’s point guard woes, while Noah and Gibson would provide the Rockets frontcourt depth.

Such move may not instantly put the Bulls in title contention, but it would get rid of their frontcourt logjam, creating a more balanced team.