Recent rumors have emerged that the Chicago Bulls are still "gauging interest" for their NBA champion big man Pau Gasol as a form of preemptive strike because of the veteran center's player option this summer.

With Gasol's contract option, he is essentially going to be an unrestricted free agent in July, which means that the Bulls will be in danger of losing the Spanish 7-footer for nothing if another team offers him more money that Chicago cannot match.

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The Chicago Tribune's K.C. Johnson reported that "two rival executives aren't convinced the Bulls are done gauging the market for Gasol, whom the Bulls would like to re-sign this offseason but at their price".

This means that there is a chance that the franchise will trade Gasol before this month's trading deadline if another team would give them an appropriate deal because the Spaniard is more likely going to get lucrative offers this offseason with the way he is playing right now.

At 35 years old and 14 years of NBA experience, Gasol is currently averaging 16.7 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.0 blocks in 31.9 minutes per game for Chicago, which is certainly not bad for an old-timer.

His unquestionable skills and championship pedigree makes him a natural target for big-money offers eventually.

One of the rumored teams who are interested in the Spaniard is last season's Eastern Conference champions Cleveland Cavaliers.

Hoops Habit suggested that the Cavs could make a move for Gasol before the deadline as he "would greatly increase their odds at winning it all". The report also said that Cleveland could give Timofey Mozgov and one or two future draft picks in exchange for Gasol.

Another interesting suggestion is a deal centered between Gasol and Kevin Love, which also includes Joakim Noah or Taj Gibson for salary matching purposes.

The Bulls get the younger Love who will provide them the stretch four they so desperately need and could even be their main man of the future while the Cavs give James a reliable clutch player that could help him give Cleveland its first ever NBA title.

The firing of head coach David Blatt shows how serious the Cavs are in winning the title this year or the next and they will not do it with their current roster. If they sense that Gasol could be the missing piece, then anything could happen from here.

TagsNBA Trade Rumors, Bulls Trade Rumors, Chicago Bulls, cleveland cavaliers, Pau Gasol