The Chicago Bulls are reportedly pushing hard to acquire free-agent power forward Pau Gasol, as they look to move on from what appears to be a failed attempt to woo small forward Camelo Anthony, a source close to situation reported on Thursday.
The Bulls are pretty much determined to land an elite free-agent this offseason, and Gasol appears to be guy they wanted the most as of the moment.
Gasol, who averaged 17.4 points, 9.7 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game with the Los Angeles Lakers last season, is the hottest big men in the free-agency market. The Spaniard is being pursued by the Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, Phoenix Suns, Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
According to sources, the Thunder and the Bulls emerge as the top candidates in signing Gasol. Many analysts believe Gasol could end up with the Bulls because of the team's need of a reliable lowpost threat.
The New York Daily News is expecting Anthony to make his announcement to return with the Knicks on Thursday.
Melo's decision to stay with the Knicks will have a rifling effect on teams which missed out on him, forcing them to shift into their plan Bs. One of these teams is the Bulls who are expected to ramp up their talks with Gasol and a potential sign-and-trade deal with the Lakers.
"Though the Bulls had yet to be told officially they're out of the Anthony sweepstakes, the New York Daily News reported Anthony will make his Knicks' announcement Thursday," via Chicago Tribune.
"That would intensify the Bulls' pursuit of Gasol, and league sources indicated the Bulls hope to pursue sign-and-trade options with the Lakers for him involving Carlos Boozer's expiring salary."
Sign-and-trade with Lakers
Sources indicated the Bulls are going to use a sign-and-trade deal for Gasol to keep them over the cap, allowing the team to use trade exception for players such as Nikola Mirotic, Kirk Hinrich, Trevor Ariza, Shawn Marrion and Ramon Sessions.
The Bulls could have amnestied Carlos Boozer and his huge expiring contract when the window to use such provision officially opened last Wednesday.
But general manager Gar Foreman wanted to relieve the team from financial commitment, and trading Boozer to the Lakers would give them flexibility. If the deal doesn't happen, the Bulls have until July 17 to use the amnesty provision clause on Boozer, saving them $10 million in salary cap space.
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