Bulls Trade Rumors

Sign-and-trade deal with Gordon could send Iverson to Bulls
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July 4
Detroit Free Press
 
"Ben Gordon will be in a Detroit Pistons uniform next season. That is a given. But, according to CBSSports.com, the method by which he will get to Motown is still under discussion. In a blog posted Thursday night, Ken Berger quotes a person familiar with the situation as saying that the teams might "yet revisit Detroit's agreement with Ben Gordon and instead investigate a sign-and-trade that would send Allen Iverson to Chicago." Berger further explains the scenario, which seems to have more cons than pros as far as the Pistons are concerned, and admits that it all seems a bit farfetched. But stranger things have been known to happen in the big wide world of NBA free agency."
Sources: Pistons, Ben Gordon agree to $50M deal
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July 1
Detroit News
 
"The Pistons have reached an agreement with free-agent guard Ben Gordon. The Pistons offered Gordon a five-year deal worth more than $50 million. According to sources on both sides, Gordon accepted the parameters of the deal. No deal can be signed until July 8. Gordon and Charlie Villanueva showed up at the practice facility Wednesday to meet with president Joe Dumars. Negotiations with Villanueva were ongoing. Gordon and Villanueva, teammates on the 2003-04 Connecticut team, have been the top free-agent targets for the Pistons for a couple weeks. Gordon, 26, averaged 20.7 points for the Bulls last season, and was brilliant in the seven-game playoff series against the Celtics, averaging 24 ..."
Pistons agree to deal with Bulls' Gordon
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July 1
Detroit Free Press
 
"The Pistons have a new shooting guard: Ben Gordon. Gordon, a free-agent from the Chicago Bulls, agreed in principle Wednesday to join the Pistons, the Free Press has learned. Teams cannot officially announce deals until July 8, but the deal is believed to be worth $55 million over five years."
Gordon, Villanueva visit Pistons; Gordon could get a deal today
Comment
July 1
Detroit Free Press
 
"Free agents Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva flew into Detroit today for a meeting with Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars and could be approaching deals to bring their talents to Motown. Both are unrestricted free agents and their acquisitions would be significant as Dumars could then concentrate on upgrading the talent along the frontcourt. The Pistons are the clear favorite to sign Gordon and a deal could be reached as early as this afternoon as the Bulls have salary-cap issues that may make their interest in retaining Gordon moot. It's expected he will command a salary in the range of $9 to $10 million per year. Gordon, 26, a five-year veteran with the Chicago ..."
Ben Gordon, Charlie Villanueva visit Pistons today
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July 1
Detroit News
 
"Chicago Bulls guard Ben Gordon and Milwaukee Bucks forward Charlie Villanueva will be at the Pistons' practice facility Wednesday, meeting with president Joe Dumars and maybe take a tour of the area and do a little home shopping. That's how serious the courtship is between the two free agents and the Pistons. There is a chance a verbal commitment could be reached soon."
Chicago Bulls and Detroit Pistons courting Ben Gordon
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July 1
Chicago Tribune
 
"A busy Tuesday for Joe Dumars began with the Pistons' president of basketball operations firing coach Michael Curry and ended with him making overtures for guard Ben Gordon as NBA free agency began at 11:01 p.m. Chicago time. The Bulls planned to contact Raymond Brothers, Gordon's agent, who has turned down offers of $50 million over five years and $54 million over six years the previous two summers. Gordon, the Bulls' leading scorer for the last four seasons, never has backed off his publicly stated desire to remain in Chicago. He reiterated that desire to close associates on Tuesday. Similarly, general manager Gar Forman consistently has said the Bulls want to re-sign Gordon. However, ..."
Pistons' free-agent targets: Gordon, Villanueva
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June 30
Detroit News
 
"The Pistons would love to sign Carlos Boozer should he decide today to opt out of the final year of his contract with the Jazz and become a free agent. Why wouldn't they? He's 26 and one of the elite power forwards in the game, capable of averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds. However, if Boozer opts out, he would leave $12.6 million on the table in Utah. Thus, there is a good chance Boozer, as has been widely speculated, would look to start his next contract at $14 million or $15 million. If that is the case, the Pistons most likely would walk away. The Pistons expect to have between $17 million and $19 million of available cap space (the exact number will be determined within the next ..."
Bulls open to moving Thomas; Hinrich on Portland's radar
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June 24
ESPN.com
 
"Chicago, by all accounts, has been increasingly open in its willingness to move power forward Tyrus Thomas. Kirk Hinrich, meanwhile, is said to be prominent on Portland's wish list given the Blazers' growing pessimism about persuading Phoenix to part with Steve Nash via trade and their ability to sign Jason Kidd away from Dallas. The larger holes that Cleveland's exit in the Eastern Conference finals created on the wing and in its frontcourt rotation, coupled with the Lakers' championship run and subsequent deep desire to re-sign Lamar Odom and Trevor Ariza, have increased the Mavs' confidence when it comes to re-signing Kidd, who has been linked with those two teams for months."
Pistons to push for Ben Gordon
Comment
June 24
ESPN.com
 (scroll down)
"Strong indications persist that the Pistons will go ahead with their expected hard push for Chicago Bulls free agent-to-be Ben Gordon starting July 1, even though Rip Hamilton's contract extension hasn't even kicked in yet. So you also can expect to keep hearing Hamilton's name surfacing in trade proposals, in spite of all his history in Detroit, because the Pistons can't possibly find a way to make room for Gordon, Hamilton and Rodney Stuckey. And then you have to consider the rumblings on our radar about how Rip and Pistons coach Michael Curry are not exactly sharing the same worldview."
Hinrich thinks he will go to Portland
Comment
June 24
Yahoo! Sports
 (scroll down)
"Chicago Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich is telling friends that he thinks he'll be dealt to the Portland Trail Blazers, who have interest in pairing him with Brandon Roy in the backcourt."
Bulls have eye toward bigs in upcoming draft
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June 23
Daily Herald
 
"As the clock ticks down toward Thursday's NBA Draft, the Bulls are still trying to settle on a wish list for the No. 16 and 26 picks. General manager Gar Forman wouldn't name names, but he did confirm that the Bulls are trying to schedule one or two last-minute workouts. The draft-dedicated Web site DraftExpress.com suggested the Bulls were trying to line up Ohio State center B.J. Mullens, Pitt power forward DeJuan Blair and possibly Wake Forest forward James Johnson for a Berto Center visit. All three have worked out for the Bulls once before. They're also trying to reschedule a visit by 6-10 Louisville forward Earl Clark, who canceled an appearance on Sunday, citing a hamstring injury. ..."
Bulls' draft plans all center around Derrick Rose
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June 22
Chicago Tribune
 
"The lights came back on at the Berto Center on Sunday, even if fallout from the storms that rocked the Chicago area still played havoc with the building's air conditioning. The stifling, lit gym served as a metaphor for the franchise, one year after lucking into the No. 1 overall pick: Derrick Rose has brightened the Bulls' future, and the heat is on for all subsequent personnel moves, including Thursday's NBA draft. Has anyone stopped to think about what the Bulls' 2008-09 season might have looked like had they not parlayed 1.7 percent odds in the May 2008 draft lottery to land the right to pick Rose? Granted, other factors contributed to the Bulls recovering from the 2007-08 train wreck ..."
Chicago Bulls seeking to trade up in NBA draft
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June 20
Chicago Tribune
 
"This hardly is unique for a weak draft, but league sources indicated the Bulls have had conversations with several teams trying to package their Nos. 16 and 26 picks for a single higher selection in the June 25 NBA draft. Several media outlets, including the Tribune, confirmed one of those teams is New Jersey, which owns the 11th pick. It's unclear which player the Bulls might want and believe might not be available at No. 16. Syracuse guard Jonny Flynn, Duke swingman Gerald Henderson, Wake Forest guard Jeff Teague and Wake Forest forward James Johnson are among several players who have intrigued the Bulls. Another byproduct of turning two picks into one would be the elimination of a ..."
Chicago rumor has Bulls' Ben Gordon coming to Pistons, Rip Hamilton traded
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June 18
Detroit Free Press
 
"A blog posted this week about the future of the Chicago Bulls reads more like the Detroit Pistons' rumor du jour. Sam Smith, a former Chicago Tribune reporter who now writes for bulls.com, says that the agent for Chicago guard Ben Gordon has been talking about a promise his client has from the Pistons. Apparently, it's a pretty serious promise: $11-million per year for the soon-to-be unrestricted free agent. The writer finds it hard to believe that the Pistons would truly be interested in yet another shooting guard. But that idea winds up pointing to another rumor - this one involving a trade for Richard Hamilton. Here's an excerpt of Smith's reasoning:"
Ben Gordon ready to see what awaits in free agency
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June 18
Chicago Tribune
 
"So, Ben Gordon, do you or your agent have a backroom agreement to sign with Detroit when the free-agency period begins July 1? "You can't even negotiate until July 1, so that's just rumors," Gordon said Wednesday at his basketball camp in Lisle. "I really don't know what's going to happen." Several media outlets, including the Tribune, have reported Gordon is expected to be a primary target of the Pistons, who have roughly $23 million of salary-cap space. Former Tribune NBA reporter Sam Smith took matters to another level Wednesday, writing on Bulls.com that he has "heard that Gordon's agent allegedly has been saying he has an $11 million promise from the Pistons." Even if true, nobody ..."
Bulls look and listen to Casspi's sales pitch
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June 9
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"If at least one NBA mock draft is on the money, Omri Casspi's visit to the Berto Center on Monday won't be his last. Casspi, a native of Israel who played professionally for Maccabi Tel Aviv the last two seasons, is taking his second shot at making the NBA. The small forward, who measured 6-7 without shoes in the official predraft measurements, withdrew before the draft when no team would guarantee taking him in the first round. Many mock drafts have Casspi projected as a late first-round pick in the June 25 draft. Draftexpress.com has the Bulls, who own picks Nos. 16 and 26, tabbing Casspi with their second selection. ''In Europe, we work more on fundamentals [than in the NBA],'' Casspi ..."
Memphis has response ready
Comment
June 2
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"More details surrounding the NCAA allegations against Memphis involving Bulls guard Derrick Rose should come to light today. A source told CBS Sports.com's Gary Parrish on Monday that Memphis is releasing its response to the NCAA's allegations today in a 63-page document that contains another 480 pages of exhibits. The report apparently refutes the NCAA's claims that someone took the SAT for Rose. Memphis officials, along with former coach John Calipari via phone from China, will appear before the NCAA Infractions Committee on Saturday in Indianapolis. Memphis' legal counsel Sheri Lipman told ESPN on Monday that the response would ''put more paint on the canvas.'' ESPN also reported that ..."
Point guard still seems a Bulls priority
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May 30
Chicago Tribune
 
"Darren Collison might not remember Vinny Del Negro's name, but it's a safe bet the reverse isn't true. "I had a chance to meet with the coach from the Chicago Bulls," Collison said Friday at a downtown hotel as part of the NBA's predraft camp. "He was real laid-back and cool. I had my best workout for the Bulls. They said they were really interested." For the second straight day, a point guard insisted the Bulls have expressed major interest in him. That UCLA's Collison followed Syracuse's Jonny Flynn with such words means either the players are cocky and excitable, the Bulls want insurance in case Kirk Hinrich is traded or Ben Gordon signs elsewhere or Derrick Rose is a bust. And yes, ..."
Chicago Bulls' Derrick Rose at center of Memphis NCAA probe
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May 29
Chicago Tribune
 
"A year ago, Derrick Rose became the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft, selected by his hometown Bulls and eventually dazzling enough onlookers to be rated the top rookie in his class. His ability and promise remain an immutable truth for the present and future. It's Rose's past, though, that is becoming a bit more clouded. A Chicago Public Schools source said Thursday that a grade on Rose's high school transcript was changed from a D to a C by someone at Simeon Career Academy in the final semester of his senior year. On Wednesday reports surfaced in Memphis that the NCAA is investigating an allegedly fraudulent SAT score of a Memphis basketball player from the 2007-08 Final Four team, ..."
Derrick Rose's grade was changed at Simeon High
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May 29
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"A teacher handed Derrick Rose a "D" in the last semester of his senior year at Simeon High School. But by the time the University of Memphis got the future Bulls star's transcript, the "D" had been boosted to "C." Rose was one of four Simeon athletes who benefited from a one-month grade boost in June 2007, sources told the Chicago Sun-Times Thursday. The grade changes were outlined in a 2008 report by the Chicago Public Schools inspector general, a report that did not name Simeon or Rose. However, sources said, Rose was among four Simeon basketball players whose grades were temporarily inflated after their graduation -- just long enough for them to be reflected on transcripts sent to ..."
Bulls' Derrick Rose tied to NCAA probe of Memphis
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May 28
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"According to a document obtained by the Memphis Commercial-Appeal, the University of Memphis is responding to NCAA allegations that charge the men's basketball program with major violations, both of which seem to involve current Bull and Simeon grad Derrick Rose. The player's name is blacked out in the report (a letter from the NCAA to Memphis dated Jan. 16, 2009), but the wording indicates that he only played in the 2007-08 season. Rose is the only Memphis player who meets that criteria."
Bulls' new GM will try to re-sign Ben Gordon
Comment
May 22
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"At the end of the formal portion of the news conference Thursday at the Berto Center, someone approached John Paxson and offered congratulations. Perhaps not knowing what else to say, a puzzled Paxson replied with an awkward acknowledgement of thanks. If you retain nothing else from the news that Gar Forman has been promoted to the Bulls' general manager position, remember this: The move was all about rewarding Forman and recognizing his growing influence in the front office -- and has little to do with Paxson's role or future with the organization. Paxson retains his title of executive vice president of basketball operations and still is the top dog, so to speak, in the front-office ..."
Bulls' changes start at the top
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May 4
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Long after the Bulls' season ended Saturday night with a 109-99 Game 7 loss to the defending champion Boston Celtics, heading home looked like the last thing Joakim Noah wanted to do. The second-year center sat stone still in the Garden locker room, towel draped over his head, deaf to teammates' words of solace. But the pain felt by the Bulls in the immediate aftermath of a take-it-to-the-limit series shouldn't cloud what looks like a bright future. ''It's weird how everyone is so positive,'' Noah said Sunday as the Bulls cleared their gear from the Berto Center. ''I went to breakfast this morning, and people started clapping in the restaurant. It was crazy. I was like, 'Man, we lost in ..."
Inevitably, Bulls will have changes
Comment
May 4
Chicago Tribune
 
"Doc Rivers and Vinny Del Negro are former teammates and current friends and when the two coaches passed in a hallway late Saturday, Rivers grabbed Del Negro in an embrace. "Hell of a job," Rivers said. "Now trade all those players. I don't want to see them again." That won't happen. But it's an equally safe bet the 2009-10 Bulls will look different from the team that extended Rivers' Celtics to the limit in a stirring seven-game series. Even management will undergo a face-lift, if merely in titles. The Bulls are expected to announce shortly the promotion of Gar Forman from director of player personnel to general manager. He will continue to assist in day-to-day duties for John Paxson, who ..."
Derrick Rose looking good for Rookie of the Year
Comment
April 12
Chicago Tribune
 
"Many league observers from Vinny Del Negro, who's obviously biased, to Mike D'Antoni, who's not, have said it: Derrick Rose is the NBA Rookie of the Year. Kevin Durant, last year's winner, joined the chorus in the latest issue of ESPN The Magazine. But those voices, while obviously informed, don't decide who wins the award from an extremely deep rookie class. Writers and broadcasters do. So the Tribune sought out voters to gauge what they are thinking. And while nothing is official, Rose's chances to win the award appear extremely strong based on feedback from roughly one-third of the 123 voters across the United States and Canada. In fact, of the 42 people who revealed their balloting ..."
B.J. Armstrong not interested in Chicago Bulls' GM job
Comment
March 26
Chicago Tribune
 columnist Fred Mitchell
"When reports circulated that the future of Bulls general manager John Paxson might be unstable, the name of former Bulls guard B.J. Armstrong surfaced as a possible successor. After all, Armstrong had served as a special assistant to former GM Jerry Krause. But Armstrong, who now represents Derrick Rose, says he is quite content on the other side of the desk. He is not eager to come off the bench to replace Paxson, as he often did as a player. "Being an NBA general manager really is a lot of pressure," Armstrong said Wednesday. "There's so much that goes into the job. I'm having a chance to understand the stress and the strain and the difficulty of that job. I don't wish that on anyone. ..."
Del Negro: Luol Deng's leg injury may be season ending
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March 24
Chicago Tribune
 
"Two weeks have passed since a Miami-based specialist recommended two more weeks of rest for the stress fracture in Luol Deng's right tibia. And Deng, who didn't accompany the Bulls here, isn't closer to returning. "It could be [season-ending]," coach Vinny Del Negro said Monday. "You just don't know how it's going to react. We don't want him to come back and really seriously injure himself. He's still got discomfort and pain. "It's a stress fracture. Until that heals—and that takes time—we'll be smart about it. Luol wants to be out there as much as anybody. But injuries happen and this one is tough." Deng said late Saturday he planned to try to increase his workouts this week. He missed ..."
Miami specialist's opinion on Deng similar to Bulls'
Comment
March 9
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Luol Deng's season wasn't deemed over today after he visited a specialist in Miami. The Bulls forward will continue his rest and rehabilitation for at least two more weeks to help heal a shin injury. According to a source, Deng was given a diagnosis and treatment plan Monday consistent with that of the team's medical staff. "The recommended treatment is completely consistent," the source said. "It is what [was] diagnosed and the treatment plan is what [the team's doctors] feel it should be." Deng is expected to continue to run on a treadmill which suspends weight. With just 19 games remaining, including tonight against the Heat, there is a chance that the season could come to an end ..."
Bulls win game but lose Lu
Comment
March 1
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"It's amazing what can happen when Bulls rookie Derrick Rose is allowed to stay on the floor for the entire fourth quarter. Along with a healthy dose of Ben Gordon, Rose turned what appeared to be another loss into a wild 105-102 victory Saturday that had the United Center crowd and Houston's Ron Artest screaming. Rose scored 16 of his team-high 22 points and Gordon added 11 of his 15 in the fourth quarter as the pair accounted for all but one of the Bulls' points in a 23-3 run in the last six minutes. ''We imposed our will on them,'' Gordon said. ''It was fun. We kind of caught them by surprise and pounced on them.'' The win was tempered by the likely loss of Luol Deng for the rest of the ..."
For Wizards, All's Quiet at Trade Deadline
Comment
February 20
Washington Post
 
"The NBA trade deadline came and went yesterday afternoon without the Washington Wizards making a move. Numerous rumors linked the Wizards to several possible trades, but ultimately President Ernie Grunfeld didn't find a deal to his liking or couldn't make one work, so the Wizards (12-42) will go into tonight's game at New Jersey with the same roster. The lack of activity was not a major surprise given Grunfeld's reluctance to part with his two most sought-after players: forwards Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler. Also, the fact that many teams were looking to shed players while precious few wanted to take on anything other than expiring contracts led to far fewer deals consummated than ..."
Bulls GM John Paxson says he's staying
Comment
February 20
Chicago Tribune
 
"As the league's most active general manager at this season's trade deadline, John Paxson could have let his three trades speak for themselves regarding his role in the organization. Nevertheless, Paxson addressed his future plans for the first time since rumors spread last Friday he might step down as general manager after Thursday's deadline. "I don't feel an obligation to have to respond every time something comes up about me or a trade, and so I left it alone," Paxson said. "I'm the GM of the Bulls. I'm not resigning. I'm here. I'm going to be here. That puts an end to it." Paxson didn't take questions on the subject. The Tribune reported last week that team Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf ..."
Is Bulls' Kirk Hinrich bound for Timberwolves?
Comment
February 19
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Counting down the hours to today's 2 p.m. NBA trading deadline, the Timberwolves have been linked to several possible deals, including a couple involving Chicago Bulls point guard Kirk Hinrich. But that doesn't mean anything is going to get done. "It's always hard to say," Wolves general manager Jim Stack said Wednesday. "You need both sides to feel good about getting an equitable deal, so it's hard for me to speculate on that right now. I'm talking to a lot of teams, like we do this time of year, and it remains to be seen if there's something to be done." Stack wouldn't comment specifically on Hinrich, who was replaced by rookie Derrick Rose as the Bulls' starting point guard this season. ..."
Sources: Bulls, Kings pull off deal
Comment
February 18
ESPN.com
 
"The Chicago Bulls and Sacramento Kings have reached tentative agreement on a trade sending Andres Nocioni, Drew Gooden and Cedric Simmons to the Kings for Brad Miller and John Salmons, ESPN.com. One source said the Bulls players were pulled off the team bus Wednesday afternoon and were told they had been traded. Michael Ruffin of the Bulls also was told be was being traded to Portland in a separate deal, the source added."
Cavs free to spend if they choose
Comment
February 18
Yahoo! Sports
 
"As NBA front-office trade discussions centered on teams desperately trying to shed payroll Tuesday, the Cleveland Cavaliers are one of the few franchises willing to bring on bigger talent and more salary, league executives said. After thus far failing to make a deal for Phoenix’s Amare Stoudemire, the Cavaliers are trying to pry forward Antawn Jamison from the Washington Wizards, league sources said. The Cavaliers are offering Wally Szczerbiak and his $13 million expiring contract, sources said. The Wizards would have to add another player into the trade – possibly center Etan Thomas – to make the deal possible. So far, Washington wants no part of such a deal. Wizards executives aren’t ..."
Kerr gets a little Sun-shy
Comment
February 18
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Underwhelmed by the offers for Amare Stoudemire, the Phoenix Suns appeared Tuesday to have decided not to deal the All-Star power forward to the Bulls or any other team. ''I'd like to keep what we have and go forward and see what we can do,'' Suns president Steve Kerr told the Arizona Republic. Then again, many an NBA executive has had a change of heart as he got closer to the trade deadline, which is 2 p.m. Thursday. A day after Cavaliers general manager Danny Ferry said he wasn't likely to make a deal, the Cavs reportedly were in talks to land Antawn Jamison from Washington. Houston was said to be trying to get Vince Carter from New Jersey. And two former Bulls switched teams Tuesday ..."
Bull Drew Gooden on verge of return from injuries
Comment
February 18
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Bulls could be welcoming a big man with starting playoff experience Wednesday in Milwaukee. His name will be Drew Gooden, rather than Amare Stoudemire or Chris Bosh. Gooden practiced Tuesday after missing the previous 11 games with abdominal and groin pain, and coach Vinny Del Negro said he would make a game-time decision in the critical matchup with a Bucks team that currently holds a playoff berth the Bulls covet. With Thursday's 2 p.m. trade deadline approaching, signs continue to point to the Suns keeping Stoudemire. And there never was much merit to talk of a three-way trade involving Bosh and the Bulls. "I find it amusing," Del Negro said of rumors, which included false reports ..."
Bosh Rumor Gains Steam
Comment
February 17
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The Amare Stoudemire trade talk still has the Bulls among the teams most involved, but a new scenario making the rounds has the Bulls taking part in a three-team deal that would bring Toronto Raptors star Chris Bosh to Chicago. The rumored swap would send Stoudemire to Toronto and land the Phoenix Suns a package of players and draft picks from the Bulls, likely to include Drew Gooden and his expiring $7.2 million contract, Tyrus Thomas and a first-round pick. Gar Forman, the Bulls' director of player personnel who's expected to become general manager once John Paxson gives up day-to-day duties, reportedly has taken the lead in the talks with the Suns. Other teams said to be interested in ..."
Cavs’ bid for Stoudemire falls flat
Comment
February 14
Yahoo! Sports
 
"Believing that Amare Stoudemire could make the difference with winning an NBA title and ultimately keeping LeBron James, the Cleveland Cavaliers made a bid to the Phoenix Suns for the All-Star power forward, two league sources familiar with the offer said Friday. Cleveland general manager Danny Ferry offered the expiring contract of Wally Szcerbiak, rookie J.J. Hickson and a first-round pick for Stoudemire earlier in the week, sources said. Anderson Varejao was mentioned in a possible scenario too, sources said. Nevertheless, the proposal has generated little enthusiasm out of Suns GM Steve Kerr. When asked about the Cavaliers’ interest in Stoudemire on Friday, Ferry texted to Yahoo! ..."
Amare Stoudemire expects to stay with Phoenix Suns
Comment
February 14
Chicago Tribune
 
"Amare Stoudemire turned a corner at a downtown hotel Friday, saw about 50 reporters swarming a table reserved for him at NBA All-Star weekend and smiled. "What's going on at Stoudemire's table?" the four-time All-Star said. "Cocktails on me?" Actually, just another day of wild rumors and speculation regarding the 26-year-old forward's future. Some Bulls fans would buy drinks for management if it pulls off a trade for Stoudemire. And with Miami sending Shawn Marion and his $17.8 million expiring salary to Toronto on Friday, many believe the Bulls' chances to do so improved. Stoudemire isn't among them. "I do see the Suns keeping me," he said. "I'm leaning more toward 60-40, with 60 ..."
John Paxson's future with Chicago Bulls cloudy
Comment
February 14
Chicago Tribune
 
"Last Nov. 15, John Paxson positively beamed as he walked around the United Center with his wife, Carolyn, and sons Ryan and Drew. Ryan, dressed to the nines in his Marine uniform, had graduated from basic training in California the previous day and was seeing his family for the first time in three months. Paxson has hit an NBA championship-winning shot and has worked with distinction in the Bulls' organization in various capacities since 1985. But he told the world that November night that Ryan's accomplishment marked the greatest days of his life. A longtime Paxson confidant put it more succinctly: "John always has had a life outside basketball. But Ryan's decision has given him even more ..."
Stoudemire warms to courtship
Comment
February 14
Memphis Commercial Appeal
 
"Amare Stoudemire feels loved. Far from being a distraction, the trade rumors that have swirled around Stoudemire, the Phoenix Suns' All-Star forward, have reaffirmed his self-worth. Or at least this was the message he conveyed to reporters at the Phoenix Convention Center on Friday. "It's all good," he said of the rumors, which have included a potential deal to the Grizzlies. "I mean, why not? I got 20 teams, maybe even more, calling my agent every day about acquiring me. So it feels good to know that teams want me and actually appreciate my game." The Suns were said to have offered Stoudemire to the Grizzlies for Rudy Gay, Mike Conley and Hakim Warrick, but Grizzlies owner Michael ..."
Amaré calls trade talks a 'low blow'
Comment
February 14
Arizona Republic
 
"This was supposed to be a glorious moment for Amaré Stoudemire, a first-time All-Star starter in a year that the game is hosted in his team's city. Instead, he walked into his first All-Star news conference Friday afternoon and found about 50 reporters waiting at his assigned table to ask about trade speculation involving him. "What's going on at Stoudemire's table?" he said. "Cocktails on me?" This was supposed to be a glorious moment for Phoenix basketball, turning a Suns town into a hoop-topia. But just as it gathers the basketball world's attention, the local franchise is in chaos, with Stoudemire trade talk and Suns General Manager Steve Kerr awakening Friday to a New York Post ..."
Bulls GM Paxson will resign, timing is uncertain
Comment
February 13
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Bulls GM John Paxson will resign, the Sun-Times has confirmed. The New York Post's Peter Vecsey broke the story this morning. The timing of Paxson's resignation is not certain, possibly after the season. One report says Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf has tried to talk Paxson out of resigning. And ESPN reported that Reinsdorf said Vecsey is not a credible source. Vecsey says assistant general manager Gar Forman could take over as GM for the remainder of the season, and that Doug Collins could be approached at some point and be offered the GM job and/or the head coaching job. Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf recently absolved Paxson of all blame for this season's struggles. Reinsdorf praised ..."
Sources: Pax Out In Bulls Shakeup
Comment
February 13
New York Post
 
"Do I know this to be fact? No. But two people in the know maintain John Paxson will resign as Bulls GM soon after Thursday's trade deadline expires. Assistant GM Gar Foreman is expected to take over for the remainder of the season. Chicago is contemplating numerous trades - Amare Stoudemire, Jermaine O'Neal, Zach Randolph, Chris Kamen - in an effort to acquire an inside threat offensively and defensively, and, at the same time, deport Larry Hughes. One of the above sources said he wouldn't be surprised if Doug Collins were approached again at the season regarding the coaching job (currently held by Vinny Del Negro) and as GM, or both. Collins and managing partner Jerry Reinsdorf couldn't ..."
Plenty of trade assets
Comment
February 13
Bergen Record
 
"Rod Thorn and Kiki Vandeweghe are in Phoenix, enjoying the warm weather and trying to convince rival executives to help improve the Nets. Thorn, the Nets' president, and Vandeweghe, the general manager, have assets other teams are interested in, and should be very busy this All-Star Weekend. The Nets' brain trust recovered nicely from being forced to trade Jason Kidd last February and deciding to move Richard Jefferson in June. The Nets are in the playoff hunt, which few expected when this team started the season with three rookies, two second-year players and seven potential rotation guys 25 and younger. "We're probably a little bit ahead of where most people thought we would be at this ..."
Stoudemire rumors
Comment
February 11
Bergen Record
 
"Amid the frenzy of rumors surfacing about the seeming inevitability of the Suns trading Amar'e Stoudemire by the Feb. 19 deadline, there's been little mention of the Knicks, considering that Mike D'Antoni and two of his assistants coached the athletic big man in Phoenix. There's little talk because a source familiar with the team's thinking says D'Antoni and Co. aren't exactly fond of Stoudemire, particularly his defense and overall focus. They're even less interested if getting him means surrendering David Lee - unless they also could shed either Eddy Curry's or Stephon Marbury's salary in a deal. One Internet report "suggested" a Lee-Marbury-Nate Robinson package for Stoudemire and ..."
Suitors aplenty for Amare
Comment
February 10
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The Bulls are far from the only team talking to the Phoenix Suns about a deal for Amare Stoudemire. The Golden State Warriors haven't hidden their interest, and the New Jersey Nets admitted their talks with the Suns were unproductive. Bulls general manager John Paxson declined to comment on Stoudemire. But a source shot down one report that the Bulls and Miami Heat were the front-runners to land Stoudemire, saying the two teams that have offered the most for the All-Star forward have yet to be publicly identified. According to Miami media, the Heat has been trying to get Suns president Steve Kerr to take back Shawn Marion, who went to Miami for Shaquille O'Neal last February. The Heat also ..."
Chicago Bulls have the pieces needed to acquire the Suns' Amare Stoudemire
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February 8
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Bulls are among a handful of teams that have engaged in trade discussions with the Suns for four-time All-Star Amare Stoudemire, according to league sources. It's unknown what specific proposals, if any, the Bulls have presented and one league executive stressed it's too early in the process to declare any team the front-runner for the big man's services. The NBA trade deadline is Feb. 19. It's also unclear if the Bulls are convinced Stoudemire is a good fit, given he owns an opt-out clause after the 2009-10 season and almost certainly will be demanding a maximum contract that would run six seasons and rise from about $20 million annually. Stoudemire, 26, also is perceived as an ..."
Just 13 Shopping Days Left, and Amare's Out There
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February 7
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"As best as we can tell, the Nets haven't jumped into the Amare Stoudemire Sweepstakes yet, but we know this much: It's inevitable. They'll make the call, they'll suggest two young players, cap filler and probably their own draft pick, and then stay by the phone until Steve Kerr realizes that there's no way Portland is going to part with LaMarcus Aldridge. This works: Yi, Anderson, Simmons, and a No. 1 -- preferably, that spare one from Dallas in 2010. We're interested to see if the Suns can find something better. It gives them cap relief and their last, best chance to start the youth movement, because they're already two years behind that curve. Yes, this probably tears the Nets' long-term ..."
Chicago (19-27) at Kings (10-37)
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January 30
Sacramento Bee
 
"The Kings are coming off a four-game, five-day trip in which they extended their losing streak to seven games. The Bulls won the season's first matchup against the Kings on Jan. 6, 99-94 in Chicago. This is the final meeting between the teams, who split last season's series 1-1. The Kings have won nine in row at home against the Bulls and 16 of the last 18 meetings overall. The last time Chicago defeated the Kings in Sacramento was in 1997 (103-88)."