NBA Rumors: Chicago Bulls And Cleveland Cavaliers Talk Taj Gibson For Kevin Love Swap

Are the Chicago Bulls actually talking trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers? The Bulls are allegedly talking to the Cavaliers about a Taj Gibson for Kevin Love swap.

The Bulls and Cavaliers swap involving Taj Gibson and Kevin Love, according to the Christian Post, is a possibility. That said, a potential Bulls and Cavaliers swap is one of the most interesting yet outrageous NBA rumors going about.

The Christian Post cites that the Cavaliers view Taj Gibson as a better fit for their team than Kevin Love. It actually makes sense for the Cavaliers to feel that way about the Bulls’ power forward.

Gibson is a rugged defender who does not sulk when he does not get shots. Instead of pouting, he runs the floor and gets himself and his Bulls’ teammates in line defensively. Gibson is one of those players that a team has to have — gritty and tough.

The Cavaliers already have Tristian Thompson doing the dirty work. Pairing him up with Gibson would create a bookend of tough defenders, thus making the job easier for LeBron James.

Would the Cleveland Cavaliers be less of a championship contender with Taj Gibson instead of Kevin Love?

Forget the realities of a Bulls and Cavaliers trade actually going down. We will get in that in a moment. Taj Gibson to the Cavaliers actually enhances their chances of repeating as NBA champions.

Taj Gibson is a capable scorer, with a consistent 16-foot jump shot. He is not the three-point shooter that Kevin Love is, but that is irrelevant. Cleveland added shooting with a trade made (courtesy of SB Nation) with the Bulls for Mike Dunleavy, Jr. There is also enough shooting with Kyrie Irving and Channing Frye. Another shooter who is looking for a breakout season is Kay Felder. The Cavaliers are fine.

In losing center Timofey Mozgov, Cleveland lost a ton of interior toughness. That is something that Taj Gibson provides.

The Cavaliers were better as a team spacing the floor without Kevin Love on the court. He seemed like the odd man out in Cleveland and needs a change of scenery.

Are the Chicago Bulls the right team for Kevin Love?

The two biggest knocks on the Bulls are three-point shooting and rebounding. Love, when utilized properly, does both.

In a perfect world scenario, the Bulls would be lined up with Rajon Rondo, Dwyane Wade, Jimmy Butler, Robin Lopez, and Love. That is as balanced as a starting lineup a team could have. Love not only could stretch the floor, but his ability to complete an outlet pass is invaluable as well.

NBA Trade Rumors for 2016-17 Season: Iman Shumpert to 76ers, Kyle Anderson to Heat, Kevin Love to Bulls – Christian… https://t.co/A88mhZ3wxd

— NBA new report (@NBAnewreport) September 12, 2016

The Bulls as a team last year was not a threat to beat opponents with outside shooting. That is one of the chief reasons why the Bulls, when healthy, could not get past the dregs of the Eastern Conference to make the playoffs. As they do every year seemingly, the Bulls would have given a LeBron James-led team fits. The Cavaliers would have had a tough time with the Bulls had they met in the first round.

Why would the Cavaliers help out their rivals?

Because the Bulls have historically given the Cavaliers trouble when they face each other do not expect a deal to happen. Again, this is one of the most outrageous of NBA rumors to circulate so far. The Cavaliers are not going to help the Bulls and vice-versa. Because of the rules a Gibson for Love swap could not work for either the Bulls or Cavaliers anyway.

Financially, the Bulls have to add other assets to a trade for Kevin Love. The Bulls would have to at least add a couple of second-round draft picks going back to the Cavaliers. Trading for Love would put the Bulls in the luxury tax realm unless other players were sent out.

All signs could point to the Cavaliers wanting get from under the burdens of Kevin Love’s contract.

Love is signed with the Cavaliers for another four seasons, with $93.5 million remaining. That would be a lot for the Bulls and any other team to take on. But it could happen. Because of the teams, Gibson on the Cavaliers and Love on the Bulls are natural fits.

The Cleveland Cavaliers should trade Kevin Love, but not to the Bulls. Here is a reality check: the NBA rumors regarding a Cavaliers and Bulls swap is likely just a fantasy basketball suggestion. The Cavaliers can get more for Love than just the Bulls’ Taj Gibson. The Cavaliers can aim a bit higher.

There is an All-Star center who plays for the Sacramento Kings that is a far better fit than Taj Gibson can ever be. If the Cleveland Cavaliers can get DeMarcus Cousins for Kevin Love, then there is a done deal. They would have to beat out the Chicago Bulls for Cousins.

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