Bulls GM says team intends to re-sign Gasol, Noah
Pau Gasol didn't change NBA addresses Thursday, and with the trade deadline passed, the Chicago Bulls say they are hopeful of keeping the veteran big man for the long term.
"We see him as a big piece of what we're doing today and in the future," Bulls general manager Gar Forman told ESPN's Nick Friedell. "We value Pau. We see him as part of our core."
Forman's comments are a 180-degree difference from a Wednesday report that said the Bulls were "aggressively shopping" Gasol, who is expected to opt out of his contract this summer.
Forman on Gasol rumors: "We never shopped Pau." Said Bulls received calls but didn't see fit for both short term and long term.
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) February 18, 2016
The GM added that the Bulls hope to retain unrestricted free agent center Joakim Noah, who has called only Chicago home in his nine-year NBA career. "We're optimistic that Joakim will want to remain a Bull," Forman said.
Many observers feel that the Bulls have plateaued with their current roster. Losers of 10 of their last 14 games, the team is without their best player in Jimmy Butler until March, and Noah likely for the rest of the season.
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Noah's decline in play this season was noticeable prior to his shoulder injury, while Gasol turns 36 this summer. Other reports had the Bulls shopping Taj Gibson - another one of their glut of traditional big men - leading up to Thursday's trade deadline.