Pending free agent Gibson wants to stay with Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are the only team power forward Taj Gibson has known since he entered the league, and with his current contract approaching its expiration date, he'd very much like to remain in The Windy City.
"Of course I want to stay here," Gibson said of his upcoming free agency, according to the Chicago Tribune's K.C. Johnson.
The last deal he signed was for $33 million over four years back in 2012. With the league's skyrocketing salary cap, the 31-year-old bruiser should land a more lucrative contract next summer when he's unrestricted.
Nonetheless, Gibson looks back fondly on the day he signed his previous deal, since it provided him a level of stability he wasn't accustomed to.
"I come from nothing. When I got that, I was blessed and also to be able to play for such a good organization," he said.
Gibson is currently putting together one of his most productive stretches to date, averaging 12.1 points and a career-best 7.9 rebounds through the first 23 games of the season. The free-agent pool for fours could be extremely deep if some top names elect to opt out, yet Gibson remains optimistic management will prioritize bringing him back, as he feels he's proven his worth.
"The basketball gods always reward you. Just stay the course," Gibson said. "I always just do my job and never be a distraction for my team. I'm blessed to be here a long time. I remember over the years a lot of trade rumors, a lot of times I thought I wasn't going to make it through. They stayed with me. It speaks to my character.
"Right now, I just have to focus on doing my job and proving I can still play and be a front-line guy (as a starter) or off the bench."