Bulls' Pau Gasol to replace teammate Jimmy Butler in All-Star Game

Chicago Bulls big man Pau Gasol will replace teammate Jimmy Butler in the 2016 All-Star Game, the NBA announced Tuesday.

Butler will reportedly miss three to four weeks with a strained left knee, meaning he'll be forced to sit out Sunday's All-Star Game. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver chose Gasol, who missed being voted in as a starter by just 360 votes, as his replacement.

The decision makes sense. Silver kept his selection in Chicago where, despite their recent struggles amid a slew of injuries, the Bulls have been a top-4 seed for most of the season and deserved at least one All-Star. Switching out a wing for a big man changes the complexion of the All-Star roster, but it's not as if there was another clear-cut candidate.

Out West, Damian Lillard is the obvious snub and most qualified injury-replacement candidate. But in the East the competition is a lot closer, and Gasol was certainly in the mix based on his numbers and his team's success.

The All-Star selection marks Gasol's second as a Bull and sixth overall. Gasol is averaging 17.0 points, 10.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.0 blocks in 48 games this season, his 15th.

Other notable Eastern Conference injury-replacement candidates were Kevin Love, Al Horford, Nicolas Batum, Kemba Walker and Reggie Jackson.

Jovan Buha covers the NBA for FOX Sports. Follow him on Twitter: @jovanbuha.