NBA Rumors: Chicago Bulls Confirm Blake Griffin Trade; Nikola Mirotic, Taj Gibson Shopped For Clippers Star Salary

By Mitch de Leon
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Blake Griffin sidelined for two weeks due to torn quadriceps tendon.  Flickr.com/keithallison

The Chicago Bulls are actively seeking NBA All-Star players to join their roster this offseason. Moving Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah to the New York Knicks as well as releasing Pau Gasol to the San Antonio Spurs now give the Jimmy Butler squad enough cap space to lure more promising stars to add to Rajon Rondo and Dwyane Wade. Reports reveal that the Chicago Bulls are close to sealing the Blake Griffin trade deal to welcome the Los Angeles Clippers star before the next NBA season begins.

The Blake Griffin trade rumors started even during the 2015-16 NBA season when the Los Angeles Clippers had to do without one of their best players in crucial games. Aside from his injuries, Griffin was also involved in an altercation with one of the staff of the NBA team which simply worsened the situation for DeAndre Jordan and Paul Pierce. Hence, it comes as no surprise that Doc Rivers reportedly recommended a Blake Griffin trade to help the Los Angeles Clippers rebuild their shattered group.

Apart from the Chicago Bulls, the Blake Griffin trade talks also attracted the Boston Celtics, Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat. If the rumors are to be believed, then the Jimmy Butler team has intense competition against the Isaiah Thomas squad. Speculations are rife that the Blake Griffin trade with the Boston Celtics would involve Jae Crowder and Rudy Gay.

However, it looks like the Los Angeles Clippers insist on holding on to Griffin. While the prospects are good, the DeAndre Jordan squad might just be waiting for a good deal to come along before they let go of their prized star.

Meanwhile, the Chicago Bulls are still not done with their surprising moves. One of the most widely anticipated deals this offseason is the possibility of a Nikola Mirotic trade. Given the poor performance of the Spanish star last NBA season, the Jimmy Butler team might just find it better to send him somewhere else soon.

"Mirotic's ability to shoot from deep is the most important part of his arsenal -- but it isn't the only part," noted Ryan Mackenzie of FanSided. He added, "In his attempt to get players to buy into his system Hoiberg has effectively made Mirotic a one-dimensional player. He is still very effective, just predictable."

Mackenzie also criticized the consistency of Mirotic - a factor that the Chicago Bulls value highly these days. He pointed out, "His jumper is as consistent as a ranga trying to find a date on Tinder. He's not strong enough to play power forward and he doesn't have a good enough handle or coordination to play small forward."

Aside from Mirotic, the Chicago Bulls are also said to be actively shopping Taj Gibson. With both Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol officially off the team, the reasons to keep Gibson are diminishing. Moreover, the entrance of Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo in the roster more than makes up for the need for a veteran presence in the squad.

What do you think? Should the Chicago Bulls pursue a Blake Griffin trade deal? Will the Los Angeles Clippers star be a good fit to the Jimmy Butler team? What about Nikola Mirotic and Taj Gibson? Should the Chicago Bulls just let them go?

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