Chicago Bulls Trade Rumors

House returns to Heat as latest addition
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July 29
Yahoo! Sports
 
"After completing the greatest free-agent coup in NBA history, Miami Heat president Pat Riley continues to surround Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh with strong complementary talent. The Heat have reached an agreement with 32-year-old guard Eddie House on a two-year contract for $2.8 million, his agent, Mark Bartelstein, told Yahoo! Sports on Thursday. The second year of the deal is a player option for $1.4 million. Miami beat out the Chicago Bulls to get House. With a history of clutch shooting that includes multiple big games with the Boston Celtics over the past three years, House will help support Miami's starry core off the bench."
Bulls showing interest in Portland's Rudy Fernandez
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July 29
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Now that it appears the Bulls won't sign Tracy McGrady, they'll have to look elsewhere to find a fifth guard and 12th man on the roster. The Bulls have talked with the Portland Trail Blazers about sharpshooter Rudy Fernandez, but the chances of a trade happening don't seem promising, according to a source. The Bulls' offer of forward James Johnson was rejected and there's really no one else on the roster that makes sense. The Blazers also have reportedly talked to the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks about Fernandez."
Report: Bulls in talks for Fernandez
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July 28
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Oregonian reported Tuesday night that the Bulls are among three teams engaged in trade talks with the Trail Blazers for swingman Rudy Fernandez. Fernandez, long rumored to be available, also is being linked to talks with the Celtics and Knicks, the paper reported, citing Fernandez's agent, Andy Miller. The Bulls still are seeking to add outside shooting for their 12th contracted player after witnessing an underwhelming workout from Tracy McGrady on Monday. The Bulls also have had conversations with representatives for shooting guards like Keith Bogans, Roger Mason Jr. and Eddie House, sources previously told the Tribune. The Bulls have been offering 2009 first-round pick James Johnson"
Team's not sure about McGrady
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July 27
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"During his workout Monday at the Berto Center, Tracy McGrady showed he has made physical progress since last season and is capable of being a contributor this season, according to a source. But despite the seven-time All-Star being physically able to fill the secondary bench role the Bulls are looking for, the team's brass isn't yet convinced McGrady will be a good fit after meeting with him following the workout, the source said. Before sitting down with management and coach Tom Thibodeau, McGrady spoke with reporters and addressed the issue of whether a veteran two-time scoring champ works as a bench player on a young team. He sounded as if his joining the Bulls was a foregone"
Thomas drawn to Bulls by Thibodeau
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July 27
Chicago Tribune
 
"Kurt Thomas spent part of Monday afternoon running down the reasons he signed with the Bulls for his 16th NBA season. One name kept resurfacing: Tom Thibodeau. "As an assistant, his approach was unbelievable," said Thomas, who spent five seasons with the new Bulls coach when they were with the Knicks. "He was known for putting in 15-hour days. He's solid and knows how to talk to players. "When you see how hard he works, you want to work that hard too. To see his growth over all these years, I think now that he has this (head coaching) opportunity he'll be very successful." Thomas, who will turn 38 in training camp, also spoke excitedly about his new teammates and the Bulls' offseason"
Bulls McGrady's top choice, but feeling may not be mutual
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July 27
Chicago Tribune
 
"Tracy McGrady left the Berto Center on Monday without a contract offer after working out for roughly an hour and then meeting with Bulls management after lunch. This time, it wasn't McGrady's choice. Ten summers after flirting with the Bulls before joining his home state Magic in free agency, the seven-time All-Star told reporters joining Derrick Rose and Co. represents his top choice as he tries to resuscitate a career derailed by microfracture surgery on his left knee in 2009. According to two people who witnessed the workout, McGrady shot the ball well but didn't move with much fluidity or exhibit superior conditioning. Andy Greer, who served as an assistant with the Rockets along with"
McGrady works out, calls Bulls his top choice
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July 27
Chicago Tribune
 
"Tracy McGrady was scheduled to meet with Bulls management Monday afternoon after working out at the Berto Center for roughly an hour in the morning. McGrady told reporters the Bulls represent his first choice. Contrary to published reports, Bulls management has made no final decision regarding the signing of McGrady. A seven-time All-Star, McGrady played 30 games last season after undergoing microfracture surgery on his left knee in February 2009. "I feel good," McGrady said at the Berto Center. "I've been battling to get back to rare form. Still coming off surgery. It's been a tough road, but I feel pretty good compared to my last game that I played in New York. I was still going through"
McGrady works out, calls Bulls his top choice
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July 26
Chicago Tribune
 
"Tracy McGrady was scheduled to meet with Bulls management Monday afternoon after working out at the Berto Center for roughly an hour in the morning. McGrady told reporters the Bulls represent his first choice. Contrary to published reports, Bulls management has made no final decision regarding the signing of McGrady. A seven-time All-Star, McGrady played 30 games last season after undergoing microfracture surgery on his left knee in February 2009. "I feel good," McGrady said at the Berto Center. "I've been battling to get back to rare form. Still coming off surgery. It's been a tough road, but I feel pretty good compared to my last game that I played in New York. I was still going through"
Bulls hoping former star McGrady has something left
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July 26
Chicago Sun-Times
 columnist Rick Telander
"Tracy McGrady. Name has a ring to it. Oh, yeah. McGrady was a near-superstar who fired in a ton of points for the Orlando Magic and Houston Rockets back in the day. Had knee problems. Pouted a bit, as I recall, but nothing terrible. Two-time scoring champ. Seven-time All- Star. No NBA titles. Just joined AARP. Hmmm. Kind of a poor man's George Gervin? At any rate, the Bulls reportedly are giving McGrady -- who started only 24 games last season for the Rockets and Knicks and played in only 59 games the last two seasons -- a tryout today to see if he's fit and willing to take a bench role with the team. Funny, but McGrady is only 31, even though this will be his 14th season in the NBA. I"
Source: Bulls taking look at McGrady
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July 22
ESPN.com
 
"The Chicago Bulls are evaluating the health of free agent guard/forward Tracy McGrady and have talked to his representative, according to a person familiar with the situation. McGrady worked out for the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday and took a physical on Tuesday. The 31-year-old tweeted that he's considering the Clippers, Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat, but he added: "that could change by the morning ... lol ... this is the NBA." The Bulls are not committed to the idea of pursuing McGrady, but are simply one of several teams analyzing the possibility. McGrady is represented by Arn Tellem, who enjoys a strong relationship with Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf."
McGrady workout set for Bulls
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July 22
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Bulls are working to finalize a workout for free agent swingman Tracy McGrady for Monday, a league source confirmed. However, the source added that signing McGrady, who is recovering from microfracture surgery on his left knee in February 2009, "is probably a long shot." The seven-time All-Star played just 24 games last season. The Bulls long have had a close relationship with McGrady's agent, Arn Tellem, who is working to find McGrady a home. So some are interpreting the workout as either a favor or merely due diligence."
Clippers have legit interest in McGrady
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July 20
ESPN.com
 
"The Clippers do have legit interest in McGrady and are scheduled to work him out Tuesday. As Clips general manager Neil Olshey told ESPNLosAngeles.com's Ramona Shelburne last week: "Tracy and I have a good relationship. We've known each other for a long time. He and Baron [Davis] have a good relationship [and] we obviously have a need for playmaking and scoring on the wings." But sources say that news of the workout being made public was also intended to let the Bulls know that McGrady does have other options, since Chicago is where those close to McGrady say he'd love to land."
Warriors agree to trade point guard C.J. Watson to Chicago Bulls for a 2011 second-round draft pick
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July 20
Oakland Tribune
 
"The Warriors reached an agreement to send restricted free-agent point guard C.J. Watson to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for a 2011 second-round draft pick, multiple team sources told Bay Area News Group on Monday. The deal was not complete as of press time but imminent. Watson signed a three-year, $10.2 million deal with the Warriors, one source said, who then traded him to the Bulls. Watson is expected to back up Chicago All-Star point guard Derrick Rose and shore up the Bulls bench. Watson is the sixth player from last year's Warriors roster to be traded away this offseason. The Warriors are also likely to get a trade exception in the deal. It would be worth half of whatever amount"
Bulls acquire guard C.J. Watson from Warriors
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July 20
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Bulls added backcourt depth late Monday by acquiring C.J. Watson from the Warriors in a sign-and-trade transaction for a 2011 second-round pick, a league source confirmed. Watson, 26, is a scoring combo guard whose primary role likely will be to spell Derrick Rose. But he has averaged 8.7 points in just 23.2 minutes over his three-season career, which began after stints in Europe and the Development League. At 6-foot-2, Watson has shot 45.9 percent, including 35.1 percent from 3-point land. A league source said Watson will sign a two-year deal worth roughly $6.5 million, with a non-guaranteed third season. That leaves the Bulls with roughly $4.5 million of salary-cap space remaining"
Veteran Brad Miller OKs three-year deal to back up Yao in Houston
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July 18
Houston Chronicle
 
"Finally, after a three-year struggle, the Rockets won't have to kick Brad Miller out of their locker room to send him down the hall to play for the visiting team. When the Rockets reconvene at Toyota Center, Miller can move into the home locker room rather than visit each time his team faces the Rockets and his favorite coach, Rick Adelman. The Rockets reached agreement with Miller, 34, on a three-year contract Saturday, filling their need for a backup center for Yao Ming with the two-time All- Star who had some of his best seasons in Sacramento when Adelman coached the Kings. "It was too good of a deal to pass up," Miller told the Chicago Tribune. "It's my favorite coach I've ever played"
Bulls agree to 3-year deal with guard Brewer
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July 16
Chicago Tribune
 
"Kyle Korver wasn't kidding when he said the Bulls might become the Chicago Jazz. On the same day the Orlando Magic matched the Bulls' three-year, $20 million offer sheet on J.J. Redick, the Bulls moved quickly to their next target, signing former Jazz guard Ronnie Brewer to a three-year, $12.5 million contract. A source close to Brewer said the opportunity to start at shooting guard appealed to him, which is why he turned down an offer from the defending Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics. "This is a great opportunity for him," said Henry Thomas, his Chicago-based representative. "He can help them at both ends.""
Brad Miller still in play as center options dwindle
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July 14
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
 
"It looks like the free-agent center situation finally is starting to shake out, with Atlanta's (and Shaq's) options dwindling: The Hawks are still in the running for Brad Miller. "There is definitely mutual interest," agent Mark Bartelstein said today. "Where that's going to lead, it's tough to say. There are a lot of things he's looking at. Nothing has been decided." Boston and Miami also reportedly have been talking to Miller, but a return to Chicago is still a possibility. Bartelstein said Miller could make a decision by the end of the week. The Hawks apparently think Miller would be a good fit in L.D.'s offense. He had been a good outside shooter for years but slipped in that area last"
Brad Miller hopes to decide by end of week
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July 13
ESPN.com
 
"Free agent center Brad Miller hopes to make a decision regarding his future by the end of the week, according to his agent Mark Bartelstein. "There's a lot of people pursuing Brad," Bartelstein said during a phone interview. Miller's name has been mentioned as a possibility in both Boston and Miami over the last couple of weeks, with both teams showing interest in the center, but if the Bulls make the right offer the veteran big man would probably like to return. He was a very popular figure in the locker room last season and came on strong down the stretch after struggling to find his groove at the beginning of the year."
Bulls' Deng puts his Northbrook home on market
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July 12
Chicago Tribune
 
"Bulls forward Luol Deng has placed his three-bedroom town home in Northbrook on the market for $639,000. He was drafted by the Bulls in 2004. Built in 2000, the 2,511-square-foot town home has two full baths, two half baths, a kitchen with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops, a large master suite with custom closets and a lower level with a bathroom and lots of storage."
Magic GM anticipates matching Bulls' offer for Redick
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July 11
Chicago Tribune
 
"Here's a likelihood, if not guarantee, of offer sheets: The Magic will take all seven days to decide whether to match the Bulls' front-loaded, three-year, $20 million contract for restricted free agent J.J. Redick. That's fine — and expected — by the Bulls, who still possess roughly $6 million of salary-cap space to add a big man and defensive depth while the Magic determine if Redick is worth a $14 million hit. As a team over the luxury tax, the Magic would be assessed a dollar-for-dollar penalty to match the Redick offer, which is worth $7 million in the first season. "I anticipate us matching it, but I'm not sure," Magic general manager Otis Smith told the Orlando Sentinel. "It's too"
Jazz complete sign-and-trade with Bulls for Boozer
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July 9
Salt Lake Tribune
 
"Twenty-four hours later, the Jazz are feeling a little better about Carlos Boozer's departure for Chicago. On Wednesday, when Boozer committed to the Bulls, it appeared that the Utah would lose one of their most valuable assets for nothing in return. On Thursday, however, the Jazz swung a sign-and-trade agreement with the Bulls that netted them a significant trade exception. In the deal, the Jazz will give Chicago a protected second round draft pick. The trade exception will give Utah the amount of Boozer's salary with the Bulls during his first year, plus $100,000. Boozer's salary next season is expected to be in the range of $13 million. The Jazz have one calender year to use the"
Wizards to complete deal for Hinrich, Seraphin; Yi presser on Friday
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July 8
Washington Post
 
"The Wizards are expected to finally complete in the next few hours their trade with Chicago for Kirk Hinrich and the rights to 17th overall pick Kevin Seraphin. The deal, which cost the Wizards only a second-round pick, was agreed upon hours before the NBA draft three weeks ago. The Bulls are still working out details of their deal to sign free agent Carlos Boozer, which has placed the trade with Washington on the backburner. The two sides are expected to have a quick conference call, with an announcement to follow soon after that. In order to complete the deal, the Wizards will have to renounce the rights to some or most of their free agents, which was likely to occur, according to two"
Executive: LeBron James expected to join Miami Heat
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July 8
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
"Media speculation about LeBron James' future has given way to the cold reality inside NBA war rooms: The overwhelming consensus among league executives is that Cleveland Cavaliers free-agent forward LeBron James is coming to South Florida to become a member of the Miami Heat. An NBA team executive told the Sun Sentinel Thursday afternoon, "All of our contacts from CAA say he is coming to you guys." CAA is Creative Artists Agency, the firm that not only represents James, but also Heat guard Dwyane Wade and Toronto Raptors free-agent power forward Chris Bosh, who on Wednesday agreed to sign with the Heat. Asked if he felt his team, which has stood as one of the finalists for James' services,"
Boozer: Bulls still have shot at James
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July 8
ESPN.com
 
"It didn't take long for the newest member of the Chicago Bulls to get in on the recruiting of LeBron James. Shortly after agreeing to sign with Chicago, Carlos Boozer said he texted the prize of the free-agent market and made his pitch. James' response? "He was weighing between a few different teams, and he [texted he] would make a decision [Thursday night]," Boozer said Thursday on "The Waddle & Silvy Show" on ESPN 1000. "He didn't give me too much more juice than that. All of us basketball fans, players and non-players, will be watching that show [Thursday night]. If he comes we'll be so excited. We want to welcome him with open arms, but if he chooses to go someplace else this team will"
Suns will do sign and trade
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July 8
Arizona Republic
 
"The Suns will use Amar'e Stoudemire's official departure today to make a pair of sign-and-trade deals with New York and Chicago, netting the Suns a $16.5 million trade exception from the Knicks and using part of that for Hakim Warrick's acquisition, according to Stoudemire's agent, Happy Walters. Walters said the trade exception the Suns are receiving in return for first signing Stoudemire to his five-year, $99.7 million contract with New York is for $16.5 million, equivalent to Stoudemire's first-year salary. That means the Suns would not be getting a player, like free agent David Lee in return. However, if LeBron James picks New York today, the Knicks would have to renounce Lee's rights"
Carlos Boozer to sign with Bulls, Jazz will look for sign-and-trade deal
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July 8
The Deseret News
 
"After six up-and-down seasons filled with controversy, curious injuries and a couple NBA All-Star Game selections, Carlos Boozer is gone. The Jazz's starting power forward and leading scorer and rebounder from last season, the recipient of a new five-year contract valued at upwards of $80 million, is headed to Chicago. "He was a good player for us. You don't want to lose a good player. So was it disappointing? Sure," said Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor, who when news of the agreement became public Wednesday was with the team at the Orlando Pro Summer League here. "We all wanted him back," O'Connor added when asked about coach Jerry Sloan's unhappiness. "It's disappointing. (But) I"
Finally, 'Decision' day for LeBron James
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July 8
Chicago Tribune
 
""The Decision" is almost here. By that, LeBron James means two things. First, obviously, is his preferred team for the future. Second, James and his business manager, Maverick Carter, revealed on James' website that "The Decision" is title of James' unprecedented, and some would say unnecessary, primetime special to announce his plans at 8 p.m. Thursday on ESPN. Norby Williamson, ESPN's vice president of production, told the Associated Press that the announcement will come during the first 10 minutes of Thursday night's hour-long broadcast. Sportscaster Jim Gray will handle the introduction, announcement and questions. Williamson said Gray was hand-picked by James' team, who approached the"
Bulls move quickly to snap up Carlos Boozer
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July 8
Chicago Tribune
 
"No matter what LeBron James announces in his made-for-TV free agent spectacle Thursday night, the Bulls will be booed loudly in Cleveland next season. Carlos Boozer's commitment on a five-year, $76 million deal Wednesday assured that. The Bulls' first strike in free agency places Boozer alongside noted non-Cleveland tourist Joakim Noah in a last-ditch effort to make their roster even more attractive to "King James." If James defects to the Bulls, Dawg Pound-like booing will be prevalent for their road games in Cleveland. Boozer earned the eternal ire of Cavaliers fans in 2004, when management claimed he reneged on a vocal commitment to then-owner Gordon Gund and signed a six-year, $68"
Free-agent forward Boozer commits to Bulls
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July 7
Chicago Tribune
 
"On a day Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade committed to the Heat, the Bulls made their first strike in free agency Wednesday, receiving a verbal commitment from Carlos Boozer on a five-year contract, two league sources confirmed. The terms of the contract weren't immediately available, though one source said the offer preserves the Bulls' ability to offer a maximum-salary contract to another free agent. Perhaps more important, sources said the Bulls have not been told by anybody associated with LeBron James that he has ruled out signing with the Bulls. That doesn't mean the Bulls will get James. It does add intrigue to his Thursday night announcement. A source said when Boozer verbally accepted"
Source: Bulls sign Boozer
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July 7
ESPN.com
 
"Carlos Boozer is the latest domino to fall, agreeing to a five-year, $80 million contract with the Chicago Bulls, a source close to the negotiations told ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher on Wednesday. Boozer follows agreements by premier free agents Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami, Amare Stoudemire with the Knicks and Joe Johnson in Atlanta. The Bulls are still in the running for LeBron James, who is going to make an announcement Thursday on ESPN. But Chicago would have to do some creative financing to fit the superstar under the cap after this deal."
LeBron will make announcement in Greenwich, Conn.
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July 7
Newsday
 
"Multiple sources told Newsday that LeBron James' one-hour special on ESPN, called "The Decision", will be broadcast from a studio in Greenwich, Conn. The show will air at 9 p.m. on Thursday night on ESPN and James will announce his destination of choice"
No Bull: Bosh, Wade going to Heat; LeBron too?
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July 7
Chicago Tribune
 
"It's time for Plan C for the Bulls. A source close to Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh confirmed that Bosh plans to join Wade in South Florida and will sign with the Miami Heat. ESPN first reported the decision. That means either Bosh has decided to accept a five-year, $96 million offer or the Raptors would have a day to figure out sign-and-trade scenarios with the Heat, which could net Bosh a six-year, $130 million deal. Previously, league sources had indicated the Raptors weren't very interested in the Heat's sign-and-trade offers. But if Bosh signs with the Heat outright, the Raptors would get nothing in return.. "I have nothing official from anyone," Raptors general manager Bryan Colangelo"
It's waiting game for now
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July 7
Chicago Tribune
 
"Maybe the Bulls should have interviewed Mike Krzyzewski during their recent coach search. That's because on a day when the vibe surrounding the Bulls' free agency prospects shifted from landing, say, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh to, say, Carlos Boozer and J.J. Redick, Chicago, already home to Luol Deng, could become Duke Northwest. This is the risk the Bulls knew they were taking when they dumped Kirk Hinrich's $9 million salary on the Wizards for extra salary-cap space. Back on that June 24 draft night, the Bulls still were getting strong signals LeBron James was willing to be enticed to come. And $30 million to spend might bring another significant piece. When Wade surprisingly showed"
Bulls still in running to land Bosh from Raptors
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July 6
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Bulls have had consistent dialogue with the Raptors regarding sign-and-trade possibilities to land Chris Bosh, according to league sources. Whether the Bulls are at the top of the list is unknown. ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard reported Tuesday morning that the Raptors have told the Cavaliers they are open to signing-and-trading Bosh to them. That, of course, would significantly increase the Cavaliers' chances of retaining LeBron James, if it's true. League sources couldn't immediately independently confirm Broussard's report. The Raptors have made clear their desire for Joakim Noah in sign-and-trade talks with the Bulls, who have resisted those efforts. The Bulls have proposed a"
Raptors focusing on potential deals with Cleveland, Miami, New Jersey and Chicago
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July 6
Yahoo! Sports
 
"The Toronto Raptors have not spoken to Chris Bosh since their meeting with him on Thursday and have yet to be told which team Bosh wants the Raptors to send him to in a sign-and-trade, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. The Raptors have prepared sign-and-trade scenarios with close to a dozen teams, but are focusing on potential deals with Cleveland, Miami, New Jersey and Chicago. Talks with the Cavaliers have not progressed to where the Raptors have requested specific players, but it's expected they'll want forward J.J. Hickson and Anderson Varejao. If Bosh is determined to leave Toronto and still get a sixth year and extra $30 million on his contract, he'll have to engage in a"
Free-agency worry? Wade event in Davie canceled
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July 6
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
"A promotional event scheduled for Tuesday morning in Davie that was expected to open the window on Dwyane Wade's NBA free-agency plans has been canceled. Representatives from the Summer Groove charity event announced early Tuesday morning that the media session that was scheduled to include Wade and former Miami Heat center Alonzo Mourning at Nova Southeastern University would be rescheduled for a later date. Mourning had been preparing to make a presentation to Wade for his charitable efforts in South Florida. Instead, the awkwardness of the moment, with Wade yet to commit to a Heat return, led Summer Groove officials to cancel all related events early Tuesday morning. Mourning is part of"
James, Wade, Bosh need more time to make decision
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July 6
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"I'm not much into omens, but the events surrendering Dwyane Wade's return to Miami on Monday were curious to say the least, if not an indication of things to come. With Wade entertaining thoughts of jumping to the Bulls, the Miami Heat wanted to show its star player how much he's loved in South Florida. So when the team learned Wade would be arriving at Miami International Airport early Monday morning, it used Facebook and Twitter to quickly organize a crowd to welcome him home. About 50 fans and a number of Heat employees were in position at the charter-jet terminal at the time of Wade's arrival. Just one problem: Wade flew commercial and arrived at the other end of the airport. ''He'll"
LeBron James puts off making decisions; sources say Nets, Bulls, Cavs are final three
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July 5
Bergen Record
 
"The Summer of LeBron is starting to seem as if it could last all summer. But the Nets, who have been cutting salary for more than two years in hopes of getting LeBron James, have waited this long. What's another few days? "Nothing going on," Nets president Rod Thorn said in a text message Sunday. "Waiting for decisions." James won't make his decision today as originally thought. His decision likely will come later this week, perhaps Wednesday night or Thursday. That's the first day teams are permitted to sign free agents. Although many Nets' fans — and those whose teams are in the race — have been pulling out their hair waiting for James' decision, the longer it goes could mean he's"
Notion that Wade is getable slightly grows in Bulls' camp
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July 5
Chicago Tribune
 
"The whirlwind activity of free-agent players flying in and out of Chicago and teams flying in and out of LeBron James' Ohio, and points beyond, slowed on Sunday. That Dwyane Wade remained in his hometown either will be foreshadowing or a big tease. As tea-leaf readers parsed the significance of a Cleveland Plain-Dealer report that James won't decide his future until at least Wednesday and a New York Daily News report that the Knicks, poised to sign Amare Stoudemire, got a second audience with James' agent and perhaps even a third Knicks visit, the notion that Wade is more getable slightly grew in Bulls' camp. You don't listen to a team's sales pitch twice in 30 hours — as Wade did Thursday"
Bulls GM John Paxson pleased with visit
Comment
July 4
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"The Chicago Bulls group led by owner Jerry Reinsdorf, vice president of basketball operations John Paxson, general manager Gar Forman, and coach Tom Thibodeau left their meeting with LeBron James and his associates on Saturday in an optimistic mood. After meeting with James for nearly three hours, the Bulls contingent departed the IMG parking garage in two SUVs. A crowd of fans booed as the SUVs wheeled off and headed back to the Bulls' hotel. Once the Bulls arrived back at their hotel, Paxson was succinct when asked about the meeting. "It was good," said Paxson to The Plain Dealer."
LeBron James Rumor Mill: Waiting on pins and needles
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July 4
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"It's been four years since LeBron James decided to extend his contract with the Cavaliers through the 2009-10 season. Since then, fans have wondered whether he would ink his next pact with the Cavs or another team. After all this time, we might have to wait a bit to see where the two-time MVP will continue his career. • Many analysts expect James to announce his decision today or Monday. James, though, has a lot of information to sift through from the six teams he met with the past three days: the Cavs, Bulls, Heat, Knicks, Nets and Clippers. Ian Thomsen reports for Sports Illustrated's SI.com that James "is expected to decide on his team around mid-week, according to a league source who"
Bulls brass gets lengthy audience with LeBron
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July 4
Chicago Tribune
 
"Nobody is about to mistake Jerry, John, Gar and Tom for John, Paul, George and Ringo. But in one of the most surreal moments of an already odd three-day courtship of LeBron James, there was the Bulls brass — Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, Senior Vice President John Paxson, general manager Gar Forman and coach Tom Thibodeau — doing their best reproduction of the Beatles' "Abbey Road" album cover on Ninth Street in Cleveland on their way to their audience with the King. That audience lasted a while. The Bulls officials entered the IMG building in downtown Cleveland at about 1:10 p.m. Eastern time and exited at 4:14, climbing into two black SUVs without addressing reporters. Only the Heat, at"
Home, family ties make Bulls a viable option for Wade
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July 4
Chicago Tribune
 
"When Dwyane Wade stopped long enough Saturday morning in front of the Trump Tower in downtown Chicago to be interviewed by WMAQ-Ch. 5, I first wondered why he hadn't gone home yet. Wade already had met with the Bulls, Knicks and Nets in town, and he could meet with the only team left on his list, the Heat, back in Miami, where both have an address and spa privileges. Then something obvious occurred to me that represents perhaps the single, significant factor that could affect NBA free agency, as far as the Bulls are concerned. Wade already is home. This is where Wade grew up, attended Richards High School and dreamed of being a Bull. This is the place he bought his mom a church, supported"
Ball's in LeBron's court after Bulls, Cavs make pitches
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July 4
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"On a sunny, holiday-weekend day better suited for a trip to the beach than hanging out on the concrete and asphalt of a downtown street, a couple of hundred fans gathered Saturday outside the IMG Building to greet prized free agent LeBron James as he arrived for his final day of meetings with the six NBA teams he allowed to woo him. Most were holding placards handed out by the Cleveland Cavaliers that had the word ''home'' in big white letters on a black background, and they chanted ''LBJ! LBJ!'' when James pulled into the garage of the building. Roughly five hours later, when James left the building after meeting with the Cavaliers and Bulls, there were still a little more than a hundred"
Bulls, Cavs making their pitches to LeBron
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July 3
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Bulls will get last at-bats Saturday on the final day of the three-day LeBron-athon, with their contingent scheduled to meet with the free-agent superstar after the Cavaliers had their turn. In what may be their last effort to show support for James, Cavaliers fans made their way downtown to greet James and Cavaliers executives as they prepared for their 11 a.m. (Eastern time) meeting. Cavs officials, including coach Byron Scott, arrived first at the IMG building shortly before 11 in a van and SUV. The crowd got excited and threw powder in the air when a white SUV arrived soon afterward, but James wasn't inside. He arrived in a silver Mercedes and the crowd didn't seem to realize he"
Bulls in a Wade-and-see
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July 3
Daily Southtown
 
"LeBron James is the top prize in this summer's free-agent sweepstakes, and his name is atop the Bulls' wish list. But on the eve of their much-anticipated sales pitch to James on Saturday in Cleveland, the possibility of the second player on that wish list - Dwyane Wade - joining the Bulls grabbed the spotlight Friday night. After a two-hour meeting Thursday at the United Center, Wade and the Bulls got together for another session Friday night in the downtown offices of Wade's agent, Henry Thomas. While the meeting was still going on, ESPN.com reported that a source close to Wade believes the All-Star shooting guard is leaning toward signing with the Bulls and asked for the second"
Bulls working hard on Wade
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July 3
Chicago Tribune
 
"In the days before his first NBA draft as Bulls general manager in 2003, John Paxson worked hard to trade up before taking Kirk Hinrich with the seventh overall pick. Paxson's target? Marquette's Dwyane Wade. Now, thanks in part to Hinrich's salary dump to the Wizards, Paxson and the Bulls are pursuing Wade aggressively again, sitting down with the former Finals most valuable player for the second time in 30 hours Friday evening at the downtown office of Wade's agent. Sources said the Bulls initiated the surprise development in a phone call early Friday and found Wade "enthusiastically receptive." "He was very impressed by the first meeting," one source said. "He's really taking free"
Bulls get last pitch in LeBron courtship
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July 3
Chicago Tribune
 
"In any argument or negotiation, just how important is it to have the final say? In the case of LeBron James, the Bulls hope the last word is the most persuasive, as James will meet with Bulls executives Saturday afternoon, after he would have completed meetings with his five other suitors. Two more met with James on Friday, and Cleveland is scheduled for an 11 a.m. meeting on Saturday. But while the Bulls may have the last word, Miami had the longest word. For about 40 minutes on Friday, executives from the Miami Heat waited for LeBron James to arrive for their meeting in a downtown Cleveland office. Team president Pat Riley paced the hallway of their meeting place as they waited for James"
Reports: Bosh joins Wade in meeting
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July 3
ESPN.com
 
"Dwyane Wade met with the Chicago Bulls for a second time on Friday, but left the meeting without making a formal commitment to the Bulls, a source told ESPN.com's Chad Ford on Friday evening. The 2½-hour meeting included the Bulls' front office, Wade and his agent Henry Thomas. Multiple reports said Chris Bosh joined the group for part of the meeting. "Things are getting very interesting," Wade said after the meeting."
LeBron decision expected by Monday
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July 1
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"After nearly two months of speculation, teams finally can sit down and speak with NBA free agents. The biggest free-agent prize is LeBron James and he was scheduled to hold his first meeting with the New Jersey Nets at 9 a.m. on Thursday. Next on the schedule was the New York Knicks at noon. The Bulls are expected to meet with James sometime on Friday. James has let teams know that he doesn't want to drag out this process and wants to make a decision by Monday."