NBA trade rumors about Chicago Bulls big man Taj Gibson should temporarily come to an end as recent reports said that the team is keeping its backup power forward for the foreseeable future pending the free agency moves of centers Pau Gasol and Joakim Noah next summer.

The 30-year-old former USC standout is the subject of many trade rumors all throughout the offseason, linking him to several teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, Dallas Mavericks, and Denver Nuggets.

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Sports Illustrated's Rob Mahoney even envisioned that the Toronto Raptors will take a swipe at him via a trade as the Canadian team seeks to improve their interior defense and the rotation of Luis Scola, Patrick Patterson, and James Johnson are not working out.

However, Sports World Report recently indicated that "the Bulls are not shopping Gibson at the moment" because new coach Fred Hoiberg is said to be working well and satisfied with his current roster rotation. The report further disclosed, though, that "the biggest reason Gibson might be staying put is that Noah's contract is expiring and Pau Gasol can opt out after this year".

Trading Gibson in midseason would mean Chicago accepting the risk of losing the team's top three big men next season and the Bulls are certainly not ready to take that chance right now.

Noah is in the final year of his five-year, $60 million contract with the Bulls, which will make him an unrestricted free agent in July next year, while Gasol has the choice of becoming a UFA himself during next year's free agency as his three-year, $22.3 million deal has a player option at the end of this season.

Gasol had already expressed his desire to test the free agency waters next year with so much potential money to be earned as the salary cap is set to explode due to the NBA's newest TV deal. Noah has not decided yet but had voiced out his "unhappiness" about coming off the bench this season.

Truly, such scenario is a headache for the franchise as it is in danger of losing the two best big men in its lineup and so it is understandable that it could not afford to lose Gibson at present based on the circumstances.

TagsNBA Trade Rumors, Chicago Bulls rumors, Taj Gibson, Pau Gasol, Joakim Noah