Bulls' Taj Gibson has ankle surgery, expected to miss four months

CHICAGO -- Taj Gibson underwent left ankle surgery this week and is expected to miss four months, the Chicago Bulls announced Friday.

The arthroscopy and repair of the ankle was performed by Dr. David Porter, a foot specialist based in Indianapolis, on Tuesday. The Bulls said Gibson has already started the rehab process.

Gibson, who played in 62 games last season, has had issues with his left ankle for the past couple of seasons. He also acknowledged in February that he was playing with a stage 2 ligament tear in his hand.

"That's never going to go away," Gibson said in February regarding the ankle injury. "Doctors told me that's going to go away after the season is done. But I said, 'Doc, whatever it takes, just bandage me up. I'm going to get my treatment and do what I can out there on the court. No excuses. Try to help my team any way I can.'"

After the Bulls' disappointing second-round playoff loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Gibson's name popped up in trade speculation given that he still has two years and about $16 million left on his contract. The revelation that he is expected to be out for four months now should quell any potential talks for the time being as the Bulls, and other teams throughout the league, wait to see how he responds after the surgery.

Gibson, 29, averaged 10.3 points and 6.4 rebounds last season.