Lakers interested in Taj Gibson

[Slava]

The Los Angeles Lakers, Washington Wizards and Charlotte Bobcats have each engaged in preliminary trade talks with the Chicago Bulls regarding Taj Gibson, according to a source.

The Bulls reportedly did not like the possible return from any of the teams.

The Bulls could be determined to move salary to create room and pair Derrick Rose with a second superstar.

“The way that works is this, when something gets close or they think there’s something there that makes sense they’ll come to me,’’ Tom Thibodeau said. “Every conversation that they’re having I don’t know about nor do I want to know about. I think it’s important for me to be focused on the guys we do have.

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/basketba ... block.html

[ak7]

I don't understand their interest in Gibson at all lol.

[crazyeights]

Well it's obviously something leaked from Chicago's end, which means you take it with a grain of salt, but Taj has been putting up good numbers as a starting PF (small sample size).

[Slava]

Taj perfectly fits a good athletic PF that the Lakers have been rumored to be looking for in MDA's offense. Think Jordan Hill with a more rounded basketball skills like a consistent mid range jumper and better man defense. Even if his contract has quite a few years to run, we should be looking to acquire players like him when they become available for expiring contracts.

[MoLakers]

taj is a very solid big. i dont see them letting him go. assuming u amnesty boozer, noah is always an injury risk so its good to have taj. if noah is healthy, noah, taj, jimmy butler, rose, and possibly melo? next year. lakers should try to get him but i dont think they would just give up a quality big man like taj

[Slava]

Well the whole idea of him being available comes from their interest to clear cap space for Melo in the offseason.

[ArC_man]

I like Taj but I'm not sure if I'd be willing to pay him 8-9m a year for a long time for a player slightly better than Hill. I guess it depends on how much we think Hill will command this off season.

[MoLakers]

imo he is way better than hill. way more consistent, less injury prone, and has almost always come off the bench. if he were to have a starting job, the #'s/defense/potential would be big time. maybe you get chi to take nash for taj, play taj a year then in 2015 u have this years pick, kobe, taj, and a top free agent like love?

and to slava, i see they really dont have space for a max contract even with the deng for nothing trade and amnesty boozer.

[Michael Lucky]

Last thing we should be doing when rebuilding is fill our roster with decent/not great players who have peaked that will command money.

[TyCobb]

He's a long-term contract and I'm not comfortable with getting players that fit the MDA style of play because I don't think he'll be coaching too much longer (seasons-wise). Pass for me.

[crazyeights]

IDK if he's merely an MDA style player. Considering (from my POV) that Thibodeau and MDA are about as far apart as two coaches can be.

To me this looks like the FO trying to replace Pau's big man production at a cheaper long-term option, along with preparing to lose Hill to free agency.

But mostly it seems like due dilligence.

Anways, that's how I'd read it.

[MoLakers]

i see him as an 18/11/ 2 block guy if he starts and gets used to playing starters minutes. plays hard, solid defender @ 8 mil per? the going rate for quality young bigs is 12 mil+. i dont think this team has to have just "stars" to win. he can be a big piece to the puzzle.

[Danny Darko]

this is a fake hustle type of story. no way do we play our 14'/15' hand with this kind of move.

[Mamba Mentality]

I love Taj Gibson, but no way we make that trade considering our Kevin Love aspirations.

[john248]

Taj is a solid role player, but he's owed $8mil for another 3 seasons. As a starter, we're probably looking at a 13/9 ish player who plays good defense but not much on offense. The contract is too long for something short term, and he's not good enough and a bit old to be something long term.