Bulls Trade Rumors

"The field appears clear this weekend for the Knicks to take their best shot at bringing Mike D’Antoni to New York. While the Chicago Bulls, once believed to be D’Antoni’s most ardent suitor, have fallen back to a “wait-and-see” approach, several sources expect the Knicks to present a lucrative deal — expected to be five years in the $25 million to $30 million range — today to see if the still contractually obligated Phoenix Suns coach is serious about taking his act to Broadway."

"Friday came and went without any word on Mike D'Antoni's coaching status with the Suns, Chicago Bulls or New York Knicks. How's Saturday sound? Or maybe Sunday? A resolution regarding D'Antoni's status with New York and Chicago is expected Saturday or Sunday. It might have something to do with the fact that Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf was expected to travel to the Valley, where he has a home. He was expected to arrive Friday and at some point meet with D'Antoni."

"Signs continue to point toward the Knicks New York Knicks landing Mike D'Antoni as coach, and he could receive an offer from Knick president Donnie Walsh as early as today, according to a league source. Meanwhile, the Bulls are either cooling off or not prepared to come close to matching the Knicks financially, despite a report that Chicago would make an offer by tomorrow. The Bulls are talking about interviewing more candidates, and may not make an offer this weekend, putting the Knicks in good shape."

"If the reports out of New York are accurate, the Knicks are ready to offer Mike D’Antoni a five-year contract worth $30 million or more to become their next coach. But one of those reports was wrong when it had the Bulls preparing to make an offer to D’Antoni by Sunday. Sources said the Bulls have no plans to extend a contract to D’Antoni by this weekend. "

"The Bulls are considering hiring Mike D'Antoni strongly enough that club Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, who owns a home in the Phoenix area, will meet with the Suns' coach this weekend, sources said. General manager John Paxson spent parts of Sunday and Monday interviewing D'Antoni in Phoenix. On Friday at the Berto Center, Paxson gathered background on coaching candidates for other possible interviews while still contemplating the good and bad D'Antoni presents."

"If Mike D’Antoni is using the Knicks as leverage to get a better deal from the Bulls, those around him are constructing an impressive mirage. Sources in both Phoenix and on the East Coast told the Tribune that the expected face-to-face meeting between D’Antoni’s agent, Warren LeGarie, and Knicks president Donnie Walsh didn’t come off Thursday. But there were some telephone discussions, in which mutual interest was made clear enough to take talks to the next level."

"Mike D’Antoni is likely headed elsewhere by this weekend, but not much progress toward his final destination was made Wednesday. That could change quickly today. ESPN.com, citing NBA coaching sources, reported the New York Knicks are prepared to make a “staggering” financial offer to D’Antoni to prove he is the No. 1 choice to lead that once-proud franchise out of the wilderness. The offer, which could top $30 million for five years, would figure to far outdistance any offer D’Antoni’s other suitor, the Chicago Bulls, could muster."

"If Suns coach Mike D'Antoni could get what he wanted for his 57th birthday today, it would be a long-term contract with just compensation from the Chicago Bulls. An NBA source close to the situation said three things could make that happen: "

"A radio report out of New York late Wednesday said Phoenix Suns coach Mike D'Antoni has an offer from another NBA team, but sources indicated that team is not the Bulls, who still intend to line up an interview with Avery Johnson. Bulls general manager John Paxson remained in town for a second consecutive day Wednesday, and the interview with Johnson has not been scheduled. Johnson, fired by the Dallas Mavericks last week, reportedly met in Houston on Tuesday with New York Knicks president Donnie Walsh. Walsh is expected to meet today in New York with Warren LeGarie, the agent for D'Antoni."

"As John Paxson still pondered the pros and cons of hiring Mike D'Antoni, a relatively quiet day in the Bulls' coaching search passed with one very important detail. Paxson remained at the Berto Center. Instead of traveling to Houston to follow the Knicks in interviewing Avery Johnson, Paxson and Bulls Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf appear willing to pay top dollar only for D'Antoni—if even him. Sources close to Johnson confirmed a Tribune report that the Bulls are cooling on Johnson, who still is owed $12 million from the Mavericks."

"Rick Carlisle is nearly off the market, and Mike D’Antoni — who never officially hit the market — could be the next top-tier N.B.A. coach to land a new job... D’Antoni, who is also represented by LeGarie, is anticipating offers from the Knicks and the Chicago Bulls by the weekend. If that happens, D’Antoni could make a decision by early next week. LeGarie contradicted reports that D’Antoni was already weighing an offer from Chicago."

"Mike D'Antoni is on the short list in both Chicago and New York - but he remains the coach of the Phoenix Suns because there are complications keeping both those lists from shrinking down to just his name. League sources confirm that two meetings with D'Antoni and Chicago general manager John Paxson progressed well enough for D'Antoni to be considered the front-runner for the Bulls' position. "

"General manager John Paxson has declined to comment, but ESPN.com is reporting, citing NBA front-office sources, that the Bulls and Phoenix Suns coach Mike D'Antoni are close to agreeing on a deal. But a Phoenix radio station reports that D'Antoni is closer to a deal with the New York Knicks because money is getting in the way of a Bulls' deal."

"A Phoenix source said D'Antoni would like to know by Friday which team he will be coaching next season and that the door to return to the Suns has not been shut completely by owner Robert Sarver. Sarver's stance, however, is likely based on the fact the Suns owe D'Antoni $8.5 million for the two years left on his contract unless he is hired by another team. Reports out of New York say Mark Jackson, whom Paxson also interviewed, remains the Knicks' top choice. Rick Carlisle, the first candidate Paxson interviewed, is regarded as the favorite to take over for Johnson in Dallas."

"D'Antoni has made it clear to general manager John Paxson that he covets the Bulls' job. But D'Antoni also interviewed for the Knicks' job, and talk in league circles centered on D'Antoni's camp using the Knicks as leverage to drive up the Bulls' price tag... The cat-and-mouse game of musical chairs should end soon, with D'Antoni's camp telling both franchises it expects a conclusion by the end of this week. Despite several reports to the contrary, neither the Knicks nor the Bulls had presented D'Antoni with a formal offer as of late Tuesday."

"After interviewing with Knicks president Donnie Walsh in the Phoenix area on Monday, D'Antoni reportedly is headed to Chicago to succeed Scott Skiles as soon as the two sides can agree on a contract, according to NBA sources. Walsh traveled from Arizona to the Houston area Tuesday and met with former Mavs coach Avery Johnson to continue his "due-diligence tour." But Jackson is still regarded as the overwhelming favorite to replace Isiah Thomas. Before Walsh talked to D'Antoni, the Bulls interviewed him on Sunday, apparently coming away thinking that his prolific offensive system will be a good fit for Luol Deng, Ben Gordon and other players who underachieved this season. "

"The Knicks and Bulls may lock horns in a bidding war for Suns coach Mike D'Antoni. According to a source close to the Suns coach, D'Antoni is expecting to receive formal proposals from the Knicks and Bulls by week's end. At least that's what he hopes. The imminent nature of these two offers likely was urged by D'Antoni, who has been told by Suns GM Steve Kerr the club wants a decision by Friday."

"Mike D'Antoni isn't wasting any time in his search for new employment. The Tribune confirmed a report from SI.com Monday that both Chicago general manager John Paxson and New York Knicks president Donnie Walsh have flown to the Valley to interview D'Antoni. He is still technically the head coach of the Suns, but was given permission to seek other employment after Friday's meeting with GM Steve Kerr and team owner Robert Sarver produced little common ground for moving forward together."

"A day after a lengthy meeting to discuss ways to mend the relationship with his bosses, Suns coach Mike D'Antoni was ready to move on - elsewhere. D'Antoni met with Chicago Bulls General Manager John Paxson on Sunday night and New York Knicks President Donnie Walsh on Monday about each team's head-coaching vacancy."

"Nuggets assistant Mike Dunlap says he is a "dark horse" for the Chicago Bulls coaching job, but indications are he's a strong candidate for an associate coaching position at the University of Arizona under Lute Olson. Dunlap confirmed Monday he has interviewed for both jobs. Asked if Arizona has made an offer, he said, "No comment.""

"Nuggets assistant coach Mike Dunlap has interviewed for the Chicago Bulls' head coaching vacancy. "I guess the 'fit' part of it is — they're a really young team, and I have a lot of experience with that," Dunlap said. "That was a curiosity of them with me." ...Members of the Bulls' brass, including general manager John Paxson, met with Dunlap in Denver. "I understand there's a process," Dunlap said of the Bulls' coaching search. "But it was a good meeting." "

"By tomorrow, Knicks president Donnie Walsh will have interviewed Mike D'Antoni and Avery Johnson as his decision on whom to offer the coaching job of the moribund franchise takes shape. Walsh had a reservation last night at a Phoenix hotel and was expected to have dinner with D'Antoni. A source said Bulls president John Paxson met with D'Antoni Sunday night, and Chicago appears to be the favorite. "

"While Bulls general manager John Paxson maintained his vow of silence with the media Monday concerning his coaching search, Paxson apparently is doing plenty of talking. After reportedly interviewing Denver Nuggets assistant Mike Dunlap on Saturday, Paxson was in Phoenix on Sunday and Monday to meet with Suns coach Mike D'Antoni. Word out of Phoenix is that D'Antoni told Paxson he wants to be the Bulls' next coach. New York Knicks president Donnie Walsh also traveled to Phoenix over the weekend to interview D'Antoni."

"Mike D'Antoni has told John Paxson he wants to be the Bulls' next coach, according to sources. Whether Paxson has the same wish remains to be seen after the Bulls' general manager spent parts of Sunday and Monday with the Suns' coach in Phoenix. If nothing else, Paxson is staying true to his word to keep this critically important search wide-ranging and open-ended. Not many searches travel from relatively anonymous Nuggets assistant Mike Dunlap to the high-profile D'Antoni within a wild 24 hours."

"The innovative coach Mike D’Antoni and the Phoenix Suns appear to be moving toward a swift divorce, and it could be only a matter of days before he lands in New York or Chicago. In response to reports in the news media, the Suns confirmed Monday that D’Antoni had permission to speak with other teams, a reversal of the position the team took publicly last week. Sports Illustrated reported on its Web site that D’Antoni had already met with one team Sunday and was meeting with a second team Monday. Those teams were believed to be the Bulls and the Knicks."

"The Bulls will be watching Phoenix in the coming days to see if coach Mike D'Antoni joins the list of available candidates. Depending on how things work out, Bulls general manager John Paxson could be faced with a tantalizing choice between Johnson's discipline and D'Antoni's up-tempo offense. Both have taken home NBA coach of the year awards and produced multiple 60-win seasons."

"KTAR (620 AM), the Suns flagship station, reported late Sunday night that general manager Steve Kerr had granted D’Antoni permission to speak with both the Chicago Bulls and the New York Knicks about their vacant head coaching positions. That’s a sign Friday’s initial two-hour meeting between D’Antoni, Kerr and Suns managing partner Robert Sarver may have revealed too big of a disconnect for coach and GM to continue working together."

"Suns coach Mike D'Antoni will interview with Chicago and New York about their head coaching vacancies in a sign that he and the Suns brass may have irreconcilable differences. D'Antoni and Suns General Manager Steve Kerr were not available for comment but a franchise source confirmed a KTAR-AM report that Suns management had given D'Antoni permission to interview with other teams."

"Suns coach Mike D'Antoni has been granted permission to speak with NBA teams, including the Bulls and Knicks, according to KTAR-AM 620 in Phoenix. D'Antoni was previously denied permission to speak with any team, Suns GM Steve Kerr told the radio station last week."

"Yes, Johnson will be in high demand, sought by the Knicks and Bulls and perhaps even the Warriors, should he decide to take a year off and succeed Nelson (just as he did in Dallas three years ago). Then again, he was finished with the Mavericks. He had a 23-24 playoff record, losing the last nine on the road. You can't imagine how that feels until you've experienced the seething Mark Cuban, sitting courtside just a few feet behind you. In that sense, getting fired is a huge break for Johnson, who was treated well (financially) by Cuban but doesn't need any more of that malarkey."

"Mike D'Antoni's lengthy Friday meeting with Suns management about his Phoenix future brought little resolution, which is fitting for a Bulls coaching search that is in the same state. Yes, the Bulls would interview D'Antoni should the former NBA coach of the year and Suns general manager Steve Kerr not resolve acknowledged philosophical differences and part company... Any story intimating D'Antoni would land the Bulls' job for sure if he leaves the Suns is premature at best and false at worst. "

"An NBA source said D'Antoni is first on Dallas' wish list to replace Johnson. Chicago and New York also might be interested in D'Antoni, but Kerr said he would not grant permission to a team seeking to talk to D'Antoni. Kerr's sole focus is to find common ground with D'Antoni about how the team can be improved, particularly on defense, with him as coach. "

"The Dallas Mavericks wasted no time firing coach Avery Johnson on Wednesday, the morning after they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by New Orleans. Now the question is how fast the Bulls will move on Johnson, who arguably becomes the most well-qualified coach on the open market. The Bulls definitely have interest in Johnson for their coaching vacancy and he more than likely is their top target. So far, Rick Carlisle and Mark Jackson are the only candidates to have formal interviews with general manager John Paxson."

"Speculation over Pistons coach Flip Saunders is at a fever pitch. Numerous NBA writers are speculating about the status of the Pistons' embattled coach. One report has the Dallas Mavericks, who fired Avery Johnson Wednesday, interested. Another has the Bulls interested in Pistons assistant Michael Curry."

"Avery Johnson's name has been added to the Knicks' ever-growing list of coaching candidates. A source close to Donnie Walsh said the Knicks' president is targeting several head coaches and assistant coaches of playoff teams to interview but that he will not make contact with any of them until their respective seasons end. Johnson, though, became available yesterday, when he was fired less than 24 hours after the Dallas Mavericks were eliminated by New Orleans in five games. "

"Days like Wednesday are why general manager John Paxson insisted he had no timetable to fill the Bulls' vacant coaching position. With the Mavericks firing Avery Johnson and enough smoke swirling to suggest Mike D'Antoni might walk away from two years and $8.5 million on his Suns contract, Paxson's lengthy list of candidates just got lengthier."

"Avery Johnson was fired by the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, and Mike D’Antoni clung loosely to his job in Phoenix — their fates underscoring that success is no guarantee of security for N.B.A. head coaches. The Mavericks fired Johnson a day after his team was eliminated from the playoffs by the New Orleans Hornets. The Suns also lost their first-round series, to the San Antonio Spurs, amid widespread reports that D’Antoni would be replaced."

"With two years and $8.5 million left on his contract, D'Antoni is unlikely to be fired. If he returns, it could be with concessions to change. But there is also the possibility that he leaves of his own accord, especially with a perceived lack of support - and interest from New York and Chicago, both of which have vacancies. There is also the chance Toronto President Bryan Colangelo fires Sam Mitchell to hire the coach he brought to Phoenix from Italy."

"The Bulls' coaching search continues to progress at a slow pace. General manager John Paxson met with Mark Jackson, the long-time point guard and current ABC broadcaster, on Monday. He joins former Indiana and Detroit coach Rick Carlisle as the only candidates to receive a formal interview."

"With two years and $8.5 million left on his contract, D'Antoni is unlikely to be fired. If he returns, it could be with concessions to change. But there is also the possibility that he leaves of his own accord, especially with a perceived lack of support - and interest from New York and Chicago, both of which have vacancies. There is also the chance Toronto President Bryan Colangelo fired Sam Mitchell to hire the coach he brought to Phoenix from Italy."

"The Bulls' coaching search continues with no favorite having emerged and no hiring imminent, according to those close to the situation. General manager John Paxson is set to interview Mark Jackson in Los Angeles, likely Wednesday. Jackson, the longtime NBA point guard and currently a TV analyst, reportedly is the front-runner to land the New York Knicks' vacancy."

"Proving yet again his open-mindedness to a coach search that is nothing but open-ended, Bulls general manager John Paxson is scheduled to interview former NBA point guard Mark Jackson this week."

"There has been no indication that Larry Brown is among the coaches general manager John Paxson is considering for the Bulls' vacancy. That's unfortunate because Brown might be the best candidate to help the Bulls bounce back from this season's disappointment."

"Let's connect the polka dots. No sooner does Larry Brown resign his vacuous vice president's job - or whatever title it was - with the 76ers than the 32-50 Bobcats turn Sam Vincent into Sam Vincent van Gone... If my conclusion-jumping is off target, the Grizzlies' presidency and coaching jobs are there for the scoop should Brown want them. Again, he was never in Bulls GM John Paxson's interviewing equation, which has expanded beyond Rick Carlisle... Yesterday's La Gazzetta dello Sport claimed Mike D'Antoni could wind up in Toronto with former Suns exec Bryan Colangelo should Phoenix make him the designated scapegoat for its playoff failures and Sam Mitchell be fired by the Raptors."

"A rumor-filled Wednesday basically ended with the Bulls' coaching search in the same place it began, with general manager John Paxson continuing his stated plan to explore different candidates and listen to different philosophies about personnel. This despite Paxson talking with Rick Carlisle about the job and then two separate league sources claiming it's the former Pistons and Pacers coach's job to lose. "

"Bulls general manager John Paxson confirmed Wednesday that he has spoken to Rick Carlisle about the team's head coaching vacancy. Other than that, Paxson said he will keep quiet about his search. Agents for coaching candidates -- legitimate and otherwise -- take no such vows of silence, which is why you will hear just about every name but Scott Skiles and Jim Boylan linked to the Bulls' opening between now and when Paxson names his new coach."

"Sources said the Bulls called veteran NBA player Mark Jackson, who is the front-runner to land the Knicks job. That Paxson contacted somebody with no prior coaching experience speaks to how open-minded Paxson is—and how open-ended the search could be. Paxson also has assistants on playoff teams like the Celtics' Tom Thibodeau and the Pistons' Michael Curry on his list, which could lengthen the process."

"The Nets have been reluctant to pursue restricted free agents because their teams can match any offer, but they could get lucky. Atlanta's Josh Smith and Luol Deng would fit the Nets' needs."

"As stated from the giddy-app, Billy King and Mark Jackson are the common sense choices to become GM and coach... Sources say Scott Skiles is being romanced by the Bucks and Grizzlies. . . . Rick Carlisle appears to have a clear path to the Bulls. . . . P.J. Carlesimo's future with the Sonics is real shaky; too many players aren't fond of him and none are named Latrell Sprewell. . . . Should the Raptors, losers in 13 of last 20, get bounced in the opening round, Sam Mitchell, word has it, could be in jeopardy with two years left on his deal."

"This Bulls off-season will feature more twists and turns than a bad soap opera. But at its outset, at least, Ben Gordon and Luol Deng said their individual exit interviews Friday with general manager John Paxson left the impression both players are in the team's future plans."