Reports have emerged that the Chicago Bulls are more in favor of re-signing Joakim Noah to a short-term deal in the summer rather than keeping Pau Gasol moving forward.

Noah and Gasol, arguably the team's top two big men, are set to become unrestricted free agents this July and there were speculations that only one of them will stay in Chicago next season as the Bulls go on a semi-rebuild after several unsuccessful seasons.

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Noah is in the final year of his five-year, $60 million contract while Gasol has a player option at the end of this current season, the second of the three-year, $22.3 million deal he signed with the Bulls in the summer of 2014.

Initially, it was reported that Gasol is the one to stay and Noah will be traded or waived, but surprising reports were recently out that it is actually the other way around.

Chicago Tribune's KC Johnson said that "the biggest reason Pau Gasol and the Bulls appear headed for a split in free agency has less to do with Gasol and more to do with Joakim Noah" as "there is strong internal desire to re-sign Noah on a short-term deal".

Johnson continued that "Noah long has been a favorite player and ambassador of Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf" and his bond with team executive vice president John Paxson is "genuine".

Noah's defensive prowess and off-court leadership are also said to be key factors the Bulls looked at in deciding to retain him, although he "never had Gasol's ability to stay healthy", as per Fansided.

The reports virtually dispelled general manager Gar Foreman's recent statements that Gasol is "part of our core" and reinforced rumors that the 35-year-old Spaniard is not happy about the way his teammates faced adversity late in the season.

Gasol told media last week that "nothing is set" at the moment and that he will evaluate his free-agency plans "when the time comes". He also said that "the way the team has responded to adversity and finished up the season has been disappointing".

Chicago is officially eliminated from the playoffs with a 40-40 win-loss record at the moment. With that, it seems like Gasol will decide for himself to accept offers from other teams when the free-agency period starts.

TagsNBA News & Rumors, NBA News & Rumors 2016, Chicago Bulls, Bulls news & rumors, Bulls news & rumors 2016, Joakim Noah, Pau Gasol