Report: Bulls quietly shopped Gasol prior to Noah injury

Losing center Joakim Noah for four-to-six months due to a separated left shoulder has forced the Chicago Bulls to reconsider any potential plans they had for Pau Gasol.

Management was reportedly "quietly checking into deals" for the 35-year-old Spaniard prior to losing Noah to what may be a season-ending injury, according to USA Today's Jeff Zillgitt.

Gasol is currently in the second year of a three-year, $22-million contract he signed with the franchise back in 2014, with a player option of $7.7 million for the 2016-17 season. He's been vocal in his desire to opt out of his contract, saying it's "very likely" he'll test the open market as the salary cap continues to spike.

"As long as I keep playing like this," Gasol said in December, according to CSN Chicago's Vincent Goodwill. "I know I'll have some options."


http://www.thescore.com/nba/news/938612