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Toronto Raptors Trade Proposal: Taj Gibson for Tyler Hansbrough and Landry Fields

By Kevin Nimmock

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On Feb. 19, Toronto Raptors GM Masai Ujiri will have one last chance to make any major adjustments to the team’s roster before they take on the best of the NBA in the playoffs. With only 31 games left to go this season, it is becoming increasingly obvious that the Raptors will earn at least a top-four playoff seed in the almost embarrassing Eastern Conference. They are currently sitting in second place (34-17), but that doesn’t mean that Ujiri can’t still try to add a key player or two on trade deadline day.

The Raptors need a veteran player with ample playoff experience, who can mentor the younger players. The Raps are extremely talented, but there is a noticeable lack of playoff experience on the roster. If they want to make a deep push this year, they will need a player who can stay cool under pressure, and help the rest of his team rise to the challenge of the NBA’s brightest lights.

If there are any particular areas the Raptors need to improve on, they are in interior toughness, rebounding, and depth at power forward and centre. The team is often out-rebounded and out-muscled down low. They could use a player who can play quality minutes at centre and power forward, acting as a mentor for young centre Jonas Valanciunas and as an anchor for Patrick Patterson and Amir Johnson.

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Taj Gibson of the Chicago Bulls would be an absolutely stellar acquisition for the Raptors. Rumours have started flying that he is up for grabs and it would be illogical for Ujiri to not take a stab at bringing the quality player to town. Gibson is averaging 11 points and 7 rebounds per game for the Bulls, while shooting 49% from the field. He is a solid lockdown defender with enough size (6-9, 225 pounds) to play centre, as well as his native power forward spot. Plus, he has apparently grown frustrated in Chicago with he rise of rookie Nikola Mirotic and the summer signing of Pau Gasol.

According the ESPN Trade Machine, Gibson could be acquired for Landry Fields and Tyler Hansbrough. While Gibson would add a lot to the Raptors roster, Fields and Hansbrough would open up some attractive opportunities for the Bulls as well.  Overall, the deal would likely make the Bulls a little worse this season, and a lot better in future years.

With Gibson out, the Bulls could focus on developing Mirotic into the elite power forward he can be. Plus, every team can gain something from Hansbrough’s toughness and rebounding prowess. While he doesn’t offer much offensively, the Bulls aren’t exactly strapped for scoring threats. Hansbrough provides depth as a power forward and centre, and he has always been willing to take on any role that has been offered to him (he even tried to learn to shoot a three). Fields is being paid $6.25 million this season, with his contract set to expire in the summer. The Bulls could use this era salary cap room to invest in yet another talented player for the future.

So, if Gibson wants out anyways, why not try to make a deal where the Bulls could gain current depth and future opportunities? While this might not be the most exciting offer for the Bulls, it is worth considering.

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