Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

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November 20

Yahoo! Sports

"The lane opened, and suddenly Derrick Rose(notes) was bolting toward the rim. Surely, the Chicago Bulls' young point guard would deliver a highlight to remember, a soaring dunk, maybe even a vicious one-handed flush like the one he memorably threw down on Leandro Barbosa(notes) last season. Not on this night. Rose instead opted to coast toward the basket for an easy layup, looking far more like John Stockton than Michael Jordan. The truth is Rose has yet to dunk at all this season. "The times I've attempted to I was barely getting up," he said. "So I will just say it was a high layup." A sprained right ankle Rose suffered early in the preseason has limited him. Three weeks into the ..."

Bulls' Tyrus Thomas breaks left forearm

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November 7

Chicago Tribune

"Back on Sept. 25, Tyrus Thomas wore a smile as wide as the lane and carried buoyancy in his voice that anybody attending the first day of Bulls training camp could hear. "I think this is going to be a great season for me and the team," Thomas said then. That still could be true, but Thomas' star-crossed season hit a substantial bump Friday. The fourth-year forward fractured the radius in his left forearm while performing pull-ups in the weightlifting portion of practice. X-rays confirmed the fracture and team physicians will perform surgery on Thomas Saturday at Rush University Medical Center. The Bulls said Thomas will miss four to six weeks, which would represent 13 to 20 games. "It's ..."

Thomas out with fracture

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November 7

Chicago Sun-Times

"Tyrus Thomas' week from hell took a dramatic turn for the worse on Friday when the enigmatic Bulls power forward suffered a fractured radius of the left forearm during a weightlifting session at the Berto Center. Thomas, who was sent home two days earlier in the week because of the flu, was scheduled to undergo surgery today and is expected to be sidelined from four to six weeks. ''We are disappointed to lose Tyrus,'' general manager Gar Forman said. ''This will be an opportunity for Taj [Gibson] and James [Johnson] to get valuable experience.'' Power forward is one of the deeper positions on the team. Besides the two rookies, Brad Miller, Joakim Noah and even small forward Luol Deng can ..."

Thomas ill again, likely to miss Cavaliers game

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November 5

Chicago Sun-Times

"Tyrus Thomas showed up at the Berto Center before practice Wednesday but was still sick and was sent home for a second straight day. He didn't accompany the team when it departed for Cleveland on Wednesday afternoon. Although it seems highly unlikely, there's a remote chance he could travel on his own today and join the team in time for the game with the Cleveland Cavaliers. ''He's at home,'' coach Vinny Del Negro said after practice. ''He'll see the doctor [Wednesday] and [today], and then we'll re-evaluate and see if he can fly to Cleveland. ''But he's pretty sick still. He's got the flu, sore throat, the whole thing.''"

Dwyane Wade to Bulls speculation never-ending

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November 2

Chicago Tribune

"Dwyane Wade thanked Heat fans in a brief pregame speech and later dissed the United Center rims, so he's staying in South Florida for sure, right? Such silly speculation will exist until July 1, when Wade will become an unrestricted free agent. "That's a long way away," Wade said. "When we get there, we'll see. Right now, I'm focused on my team and getting better here in Miami." Wade has faced media from New York and Chicago -- two teams with projected salary cap space next summer -- and, at least on Sunday, clearly is having fun with the situation. "I really don't love the rims there," Wade said of the United Center. "But I've had some good games there too." Wade said he's oblivious to ..."

New Chicago Bulls GM plans to travel more with team

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October 29

Chicago Tribune

columnist Fred Mitchell

"Bulls general manager Gar Forman has two messages for his players as their season tips off Thursday night at the United Center against the Spurs: Play better defense, and be accountable for your actions on and off the court. "We have to improve defensively as a team if we are going to advance," he said. "And accountability is something that has been stressed." Forman, who took over as the team's GM in May when John Paxson relinquished the title, says he plans to keep a close eye on the entire operation. In fact, he intends to travel with the team on most, if not all of the trips. "The reasons are two-fold. First of all, I want to be around the team, I want to be around the players and I ..."

Rose practices, expects to play in opener

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October 26

Chicago Sun-Times

"The Bulls returned to practice Sunday after a day off essentially at full strength -- if you discount Aaron Gray and Jerome James, who will be out for a while -- for the first time in 3Â½ weeks. Derrick Rose (ankle), Kirk Hinrich (left elbow) and Jannero Pargo (back) all participated in the entire session after sitting out the preseason finale Friday. ''Let's see how they feel in the morning, but we had a full group, which was great,'' coach Vinny Del Negro said. ''We're focused on getting the guys that have been out a while, especially Derrick, back on the same page and get them in better shape. ''We've got to have four productive days. We're going against San Antonio opening night and ..."

Chicago Bulls' 'sexy' Derrick Rose returns to practice

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October 23

Chicago Tribune

"Here's a sentence never before written on the Bulls' beat: Supermodel Marisa Miller said Thursday that guard Derrick Rose has "long eyelashes and gorgeous eyes." But the sexiest part of Rose's body for Bulls fans was a healthier right ankle, specifically the posterior tibialis tendon. Rose returned to participate in the first 40 minutes of the Bulls' 2 1/2 -hour practice, his first action since suffering the injury in the Oct. 2 exhibition opener at Indiana. His availability for the exhibition finale against the Wizards will be determined after Friday's morning shootaround. "I felt good," Rose said. "I was kind of mad they took me off kind of early. But they were looking out for me and ..."

Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose could miss season opener

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October 20

Chicago Tribune

"Coach Vinny Del Negro created a stir late Monday when, for the first time, he said it's possible the inflamed tendon behind Derrick Rose's right ankle could keep the guard out of the Oct. 29 season opener against San Antonio. "Yes, it is in the realm of possibility," Del Negro said. "I hope it isn't. But yes, it's a concern." Posed the exact question last Friday, Del Negro had said that wasn't a possibility. Reminded of this, Del Negro backtracked a bit. "I don't think he will (miss the opener)," Del Negro said. "But I thought he would be back the other day." Rose ran and shot jumpers for the second straight day, placed his health at "80 percent" and said there's "no way" he'd miss the ..."

Rose, Thomas still day-to-day

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October 13

Chicago Sun-Times

"Because the injuries to Derrick Rose and Tyrus Thomas have lingered longer than initially expected, everyone -- reporters, coaches and players -- is finding new ways to ask and answer the same questions on a daily basis. After Monday's practice at the Berto Center, coach Vinny Del Negro was asked if Thomas ''did anything today.'' ''He didn't practice,'' Del Negro said. ''He had breakfast and did a few other things.'' Rim shot, please. Both players were injured in the Bulls' first preseason game on Oct. 2 and were listed as day-to-day. Neither is expected to play tonight when the Bulls face the Milwaukee Bucks at the United Center. With more than two weeks to go before the regular-season ..."

Derrick Rose may miss Bulls' exhibition game in London

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October 6

Chicago Tribune

"The Bulls' Vinny Del Negro sounded very much like a coach thinking long term Monday when he hinted at sitting Derrick Rose out of Tuesday's exhibition game against the Jazz at London's O2 Arena. If that's the case, Del Negro might want to leave Rose and his sore right Achilles' tendon and ankle back at the team hotel. If he doesn't, kicking and screaming might ensue. "I know it's just a preseason game, but I still want to win," Rose said. "I mean, when I hurt it in the Indiana game, I should've sat out. But the game was too close, so I stayed in." There's a fine line between competitiveness and shortsightedness, though, and even Rose conceded the injury is severely limiting him. "The pain ..."

Birthday boy Derrick Rose sits out practice with sore ankle

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October 5

Chicago Tribune

"If a 21st birthday falls on a day during which you lose six hours to a transcontinental flight, does it really exist? Birthday boy Derrick Rose laughed off that question, just one element of a surreal day that began with the Bulls sleepwalking through a practice at this city's O2 Arena and ended with them in suits or sport coats. Rose could've worn street clothes all day given that he sat out the 90-minute practice with a sore right ankle and Achilles' tendon, which he hurt during Friday's preseason opener at Indiana. Instead, he opted for sweats in the morning -- which was really the middle of the night for the Bulls -- as he addressed his chances of playing in Tuesday's NBA Europe Live ..."

Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade waits until 2010 to get paid

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September 10

Miami Herald

"Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade said Wednesday he won't sign a long-term extension with the Heat and will revisit his future with the team as a free agent next summer. Speaking from the Chicago-area church he bought for his mother two years ago, Wade said he and agent Henry Thomas told the Heat it would be best to hold off a decision until after the 2009-10 season. With training camp set to open Sept. 28 in advance of the Oct. 28 season opener against New York, Wade said his focus has shifted from contract talk and toward preparing for his seventh NBA season. ``Yeah, that's no longer a conversation we're really having right now,'' Wade told The Miami Herald at a function to kick off his ..."

Wade settled in Chicago … for now

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August 12

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"Two things to consider before any hyperventilating: Dwyane Wade is very, very rich, and very, very rich athletes have plenty of money to spend. And the Heat guard long has spent his summers in Chicago. Why the disclaimer? Because according to the real estate blog at ChicagoMag.com, Wade recently purchased a $1.4 million townhouse in the Kinzie Park area of Chicago. Granted, for most (all?) of us, that pretty much is the price tag on a fulltime residence, and there certainly is something to be said about a four-story residence on the riverfront. But also understand that NBA players own multiple homes, often keeping ties ..."

Rockets deny interest in Boozer

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July 24

The Deseret News

"Despite their rumored involvement in a recent three-team deal that failed to materialize, the Houston Rockets apparently have no true interest in acquiring Utah Jazz forward Carlos Boozer. ESPN.com reported Thursday afternoon that unidentified sources within the Rockets' organization denied the team made any efforts to trade for Boozer. These same sources also denied interest in bringing Boozer to Houston. This comes on the heels of a trade rumor that arose earlier in the week, which had the Rockets participating in a three-team trade with the Jazz and the Chicago Bulls that would have sent Boozer to Chicago and Kyrylo Fesenko to Houston and brought Shane Battier and Carl Landry to Utah. ..."

Utah Jazz match Portland offer to Millsap

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July 17

The Deseret News

"Paul Millsap stays. That much was made known today, when — one day prior to the deadline for doing so — it was decided by the Jazz that they'd definitely be matching the four-year $32 offer sheet that their restricted free agent power forward signed late last week with the Portland Trail Blazers. That would be with the one with about $10.3 million — including a $5.6 million bonus, and approximately $4.7 million of $6.3 first-season salary — due to be paid before the end of the month. When Carlos Boozer goes, however, remains to be seen. When word on Millsap leaked late this afternoon, it prompted speculation that either a trade for on-the-block power forward Boozer was about to be made — ..."

Carlos Boozer-to-Bulls deal still possible

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July 16

Chicago Sun-Times

"With the exception of deciding what to do with restricted free agent Aaron Gray, the Bulls' roster-shuffling this summer might be finished after wrapping up a few loose ends this week by officially signing free agent Jannero Pargo, re-signing Lindsey Hunter and reaching a contract settlement with (and waiving) Tim Thomas. But if the Bulls are interested in dealing for Carlos Boozer, there remains a strong chance they could work out a deal with the Utah Jazz for the power forward. Even though the three-team deal reported last week by ESPN.com is essentially dead, that doesn't necessarily mean Boozer won't end up in Chicago. During an appearance Tuesday on the ''Waddle & Silvy'' show on ..."

Thomas Could Join Knicks for 3rd Time

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July 16

New York Post

"A third Knicks' stint for Tim Thomas? It could happen. Team president Donnie Walsh is investigating the possibility of signing the 6-foot-10 Thomas, likely for the veteran's minimum ($1.9 million), after he was released yesterday by the Bulls. "We have interest," Walsh told The Post. "I'm looking into it. He played well for us [last year]. He's a pro." In fact, after watching yesterday's second straight summer-league loss, a horrible 96-73 defeat to the Pistons, Walsh is bolting Las Vegas today with too much on his plate, including the Carlos Boozer and Andre Miller sweepstakes. Walsh said he will not be able to get enough done in Vegas and wants to be in his Manhattan offices. Thomas, ..."

Boozer tells Chicago radio he expects a trade

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July 14

The Deseret News

"Jazz power forward Carlos Boozer told a Chicago radio station today that he expects to soon be traded, and that he'll be happy if he is. According to a transcript from WMVP 1000-AM, the ESPN affiliate in Chicago, Boozer — who has not spoken to Utah media since the Jazz's season ended in late April — said this when asked if he thought he'd be dealt: "Yeah, I do. I had a talk with the Jazz. The Jazz told me they want to go in a different direction and I respect their decision. We mutually agreed to work out a trade that was beneficial for them and beneficial for my family and me. So with that being said I'm gonna be traded relatively soon or in good time." Rumors circulating today have ..."

Bulls buy out contract of Tim Thomas

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July 14

ESPN.com

"The Chicago Bulls are buying out the contract of forward Tim Thomas. Thomas had one season left on his deal, which would have paid him nearly $6.5 million. He played in just 18 games with the Bulls after being acquired from the New York Knicks in a four-player trade on Feb. 19. The move helps keep the Bulls from paying the luxury tax after signing Jannero Pargo and re-signing Lindsey Hunter."

Bulls buy out Thomas?

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July 14

Chicago Tribune

"If you're wondering how the Bulls signed guards Jannero Pargo and Lindsey Hunter without exceeding the league's luxury tax figure, here's how: According to Sam Smith of Bulls.com, the team recently quietly negotiated a buyout of forward Tim Thomas' contract. Thomas' $6.46 million contract was set to expire following this season, so it won't affect the Bulls having roughly $25 million worth of expiring contracts. And judging by how little he played down the stretch in the playoffs, the move isn't a surprise."

Carlos Boozer deal 'not going to happen' for Bulls

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July 11

Chicago Sun-Times

"Portland Trail Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard poured cold water Friday over the little smoke left from what was the Carlos Boozer-to-the-Bulls, three-team trade rumor that ESPN.com started Thursday. How's this for synergy? ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard shot down the story during a ''Sportscenter'' broadcast. Broussard quoted Pritchard as saying the deal is ''not going to happen,'' despite his team's strong desire to trade for Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich. Hinrich reportedly was headed to the Blazers in the deal. Bulls forward Tyrus Thomas would have gone to the Utah Jazz and Boozer to the Bulls. The Jazz is desperate to dump Boozer's $12.7 million salary. Bulls coach Vinny Del ..."

Boozer's name bounced around

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July 10

Salt Lake Tribune

"As they awaited word Thursday of a contract offer - toxic or otherwise - by Portland to restricted free agent forward Paul Millsap, the Jazz also were hit by the first wave in what could prove a sea of Carlos Boozer trade rumors. According to an ESPN.com report, the Jazz have discussed a three-team deal with Portland and Chicago that would deliver Boozer to the Bulls, Kirk Hinrich to the Trail Blazers and Tyrus Thomas to the Jazz. Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor, who spent Thursday traveling back from the Orlando summer league, declined to comment about the report. Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said he had not been briefed on any possible trades. Thomas, the former No. 4 overall pick in ..."

Sources: Boozer could go to Chicago

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July 9

ESPN.com

"Another major multiteam trade might be looming in the NBA with the Portland Trail Blazers, Utah Jazz and Chicago Bulls having discussed a deal that would be headlined by Carlos Boozer and Kirk Hinrich, according to NBA front-office sources. Sources stressed to ESPN.com that no deal was imminent Thursday and that both Portland and Utah are still evaluating multiple trade scenarios. But two sources with knowledge of the three-team proposal confirmed that there have been substantive talks regarding a trade that would land Boozer in Chicago, Hinrich in Portland and Tyrus Thomas in Utah. A deal featuring those main components would deliver the elite low-post scorer that the Bulls have been ..."

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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. ..."

Bulls Trade Rumors