Chicago Bulls analysis: Re-evaluating the pre-trade deadline move
By Paul Steeno
The Bad:
While Justin Holiday turned out better than expected, the major underlying issues that caused many Bulls fans to criticize the trade in the first place still remain.
The relative inactivity at the trade deadline makes having an impact 2016 offseason imperative. The Bulls had an opportunity to improve its roster before the deadline while shedding one or more of its expiring contracts (Gasol, possibly Gibson or Rose), but the front office didn’t bite on any offers.
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In the case of Gasol, he will probably opt out of his current contract this summer, meaning he could walk in free agency for nothing. The counter to this option isn’t any more appealing. General Manager Gar Forman is on record saying he plans to re-sign Gasol this summer. This would be a disaster; both financially and because Gasol doesn’t fit the system new head coach Fred Hoiberg has tried to implement.
The Bulls could have avoided this situation if they had chosen to move Gasol at the trade deadline. Just about any compensation the Bulls could have received in a trade seems better than the two options (mentioned in the previous paragraph) the Bulls now face.
The Bulls front office didn’t do anything significant before the trade deadline and now they must face the repercussions.