Pippen: Rose Will Push Himself To Be Better Than He Probably Would Have Been

Bulls G Derrick Rose got a nod of support in his rehabilitation from a torn ACL from a Bulls legend.

Hall of Fame F Scottie Pippen recently told Comcast SportsNet Chicago Rose will "be a bigger, better, stronger player. I think it's great to have something like this happen if it's going to happen at a young age (23). He's going to heal fast, and he's going to push himself now to be better than he probably would have ever been."

The former NBA MVP suffered the injury in the first game of Chicago's opening-round playoff series against Philadelphia in April. It is said his recovery will take 8-12 months. Rose will begin his rehab process soon.

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Dwyane Wade On Derrick Rose's Refusal To Recruit: 'You're Not Going To Win It Alone'

Miami Heat star guard Dwyane Wade has some friendly advice for Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose: step up your recruiting game. Wade says he understands Rose's desire to do it on his own, but in an interview with Nick Friedell of ESPN Chicago the Miami guard offered up his perspective on why Rose may have to change his approach going forward:

"When I came into the league (in 2003), when all of us came into the league, you never can tell me that this day would come where I play with guys like LeBron (James) and Chris (Bosh) because I wanted to be the young gun. I wanted to be the one who leads my team to a championship, I had that mentality."

"...This league is very good and you're not going to win it alone. So when you've had a very good team like Derrick has had, you don't need to recruit, but when you've hit rough stages and injuries hit and all these things, and you have a year like we had where we won 15 games (in 2007-08), and now we've got to rebuild back, it becomes a little different. Hopefully, he doesn't have to experience that, but things change."

Wade goes on to compliment Rose and the Bulls, but he might be right that something extra will be needed to reach the top of the mountain in the NBA.

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Chicago Bulls C Joakim Noah Hasn't Played 5-On-5 Yet, But Will Be Healthy For Training Camp

Most Chicago Bulls fans are worried about Derrick Rose and Luol Deng when it comes to injury rehabilitation heading into the 2012 season, but Joakim Noah is another big time player on the mend and he has yet to start five-on-five action during the offseason. However, Sam Amick of Sports Illustrated has sources telling him that Noah is expected to be ready for training camp:

Noah, the always underrated and overlooked center who missed the final three games of the first-round loss to the 76ers after spraining his left ankle in Game 2, is expected to be fully healthy by the time training camp arrives. The injury was bad enough that Noah decided not to play for his French national team in the Olympics, and a source close to him said he has yet to play in any five-on-five action. The focus has been on weightlifting, individual workouts on the court and steady rehabbing of the ankle, but SI.com has been assured he'll be 100 percent by early October.

For a team that needs some assurances of health in their starting five after the offseason dismantled a strong bench, the recent news on Noah should provide a bit of comfort.

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Derrick Rose Injury Update: Bulls PG To Start On-Court Activities Soon, Rehab Is 'Coming Along Great'

The Chicago Bulls are watching the recovery process of Derrick Rose very closely, and in the near future Rose will resume on-court activities, according to a report by Sam Amick of Sports Illustrated. Amick's source says the former MVP is doing well in his recovery, which is good news for the Bulls:

A source with knowledge of Rose's recovery said he's "coming along great" in what has been a five-days-per-week routine in Los Angeles. His upper body is stronger than ever before while he's slowly strengthening his lower body as well. Rose, the source said, is expected to take part in some light on-court activity soon for the first time since his May 12 surgery.

With Rose working his way back onto the court, Dwyane Wade is passing along his sympathies for what happened to Rose last season.

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Chicago Bulls Guard Marquis Teague Receives 1 'Rookie Of The Year' Vote In ESPN Poll

Chicago Bulls guard Marquis Teague received a vote for Rookie Of The Year in a poll that surveyed the opinions of 100 people from various ESPN platforms.

Anthony Davis of the New Orleans Hornets was picked as the overwhelming favorite to win the award, followed by Damian Lillard of the Golden State Warriors. Those two were the only players to reach double-digits in votes.

Teague, a University of Kentucky product, was picked 29th overall by the Bulls in the 2012 NBA Draft. He was one of four Wildcats selected in the first round, and among six taken overall. During his lone season at UK, the 19-year-old guard averaged 10 points and just under five assists per game, as he ran the point for the 2012 NCAA Tournament champions.

After a long holdout that left him as the only remaining unsigned first-rounder, Teague finally came to terms with the Bulls on Aug. 7. Teague and the Bulls will kickoff training camp on Oct. 2, with their first preseason game slated for Oct. 9 vs. the Memphis Grizzlies at the United Center.

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Chicago Bulls Reportedly Interested In Michael Redd

The Chicago Bulls are interested in veteran shooting guard Michael Redd, according to Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio. The Bulls are one of five teams interested in the 32-year-old veteran, according to the report.

The Bulls are searching for a veteran presence to come off the bench and had recently been connected to Tracy McGrady. The team would likely have to make a corresponding move to sign Redd, because of their position against the salary cap.

Redd appeared in 51 games last season with the Phoenix Suns, averaging 8.2 points in 16 minutes per game and shooting just 40 percent from the floor. Despite the low numbers, Redd could be a valuable asset to a team needing experience on the bench and leadership in the locker room. Redd had averaged over 20 points per game in his career with the Milwaukee Bucks before ACL injuries in 2009 and 2010 derailed his career.

The other teams reportedly interested in the veteran are the Washington Wizards, Denver Nuggets, Memphis Grizzlies and Oklahoma City Thunder.

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Chicago Bulls picked by ESPN to finish 46-36, No. 4 in East

The Chicago Bulls will play to a 46-36 record and will be the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs in 2012-13, as predicted by ESPN.com's summer forecast. The poll takes into account the opinions of 100 different contributors.

Derrick Rose will be out until the All-Star break and Luol Deng will be playing hurt. It's likely this uncertainty led to such a low prediction for a team that was the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference the past two seasons.

The Bulls were picked behind the defending champion Miami Heat, the Boston Celtics and the Indiana Pacers in the East. The Bulls' first-round playoff opponent would be the new and improved Brooklyn Nets, who are predicted to finish with an identical 46-36 record. Rounding out the playoff field would be the Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks.

ESPN plans on writing forecasts for each team and player predictions.

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Derrick Rose Motivated By Miami Heat's NBA Title

Derrick Rose fought through numerous injuries last year and still found a way to lead the Chicago Bulls to the best record in the Eastern Conference. Unfortunately, he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the Bulls' postseason opener, which ended his season and led to his Bulls losing to the eighth-seeded Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the playoffs. Instead of competing for a championship, Rose had to sit idly by and watch the Miami Heat hoist the Larry O'Brien Trophy.

Apparently, that image has motivated Rose to reach the highest level in 2013. In an interview with CSNChicago.com's Aggrey Sam (via ProBasketballTalk), Rose talked about the upcoming season being his chance to win an NBA title. Rose also knows that he will be under the microscope when he returns -- although this time, hopefully, only metaphorically:

"I think that’s what’s going to drive me, thinking about what people are saying -- ‘Is he going to be back, is he going to have his speed,’ or this and that -- I know that’s going to push me as a player."

While Rose continues to rehabilitate his surgically repaired knee, the Bulls will kick off preseason play on Oct. 9, 2012, at the United Center against the Memphis Grizzlies. Chicago's regular-season opener comes on Oct. 31 at home against the Sacramento Kings.

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Chicago Bulls Star Derrick Rose Talks About Improving His Balance, Kirk Hinrich's Local House

Derrick Rose Will Rise, But His Comeback Narrative Might Already Be Overly Thick

Derrick Rose's comeback is already receiving plenty of hype, but it's important to remember just how long his rehabilitation will take. SB Nation Chicago's Ricky O'Donnell doesn't want the Bulls superstar back on the court until he's completely healthy.

VIDEO: The Derrick Rose Comeback Narritive Is Already In Full Swing Thanks To New Adidas Spot

Michael Jordan Weighs In On Derrick Rose Injury Recovery

Chicago Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf has no plans to let Derrick Rose back on a basketball court anytime soon, a point he reiterated on Saturday when comparing Rose's injury to the broken foot Michael Jordan suffered during the third game of the 1985-86 season.

At the time, MJ was none too happy about getting sidelined for 64 games, and he responded upon his return by dropping a playoff record 63 points in a double-overtime loss to the Boston Celtics. Now as an owner, Jordan has a mildly different idea about how to manage a franchise player's injury, as he told ESPNChicago.com's Melissa Isaacson Tuesday:

"(Reinsdorf) obviously had a different perspective of things," Jordan said. "Being where I am now (as owner of the Bobcats), I understand it a little bit differently, but if a player wants to play and is doing all the necessary things ... It wasn't just me saying I was good enough to play....

"Granted, I know the business and you have to be somewhat conservative for the long-term, but you still have to take into consideration the player, how he responds to pain, what kind of guy he is," Jordan said. "That's the difference between Jerry and myself. I've been there, done that, experienced that. And if I know a player well enough, I'm going to understand where he's coming from."

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Chicago Bulls Name Brian Hagen Assistant General Manager

The Chicago Bulls have named Brian Hagen as their new Assistant General Manager, according to RealGM Basketball and multiple other major media outlets. He'll join general manager Gar Forman as the Bulls continue their quest to make a run at the NBA Championship.

"Brian is someone I have thought for quite a while is one of the best young scouts and executives in the league," said Bulls General Manager Gar Forman. "We are extremely pleased that he has decided to join the Chicago Bulls organization."

Before joining the Bulls, Hagen was with the New Orleans Hornets. Over nine seasons, he filled numerous roles, most recently serving as the Director of Player Personnel, where he oversaw the team's amateur and professional scouting. He also worked as a video coordinator, Director of Basketball Operations, Director of Scouting and Assistant to the General Manager.

Hagen is a native of Joice, Iowa. While attending Iowa State, he served as an Undergraduate Assistant from 1996-2000. He graduated in 2000 with a degree in Management Information Systems.

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Will Derrick Rose And Kevin Love Be Bonded By Their Common Hatred Of Dancing?

The Derrick Rose Twitter Account Is Here

Derrick Rose Injury: Bulls PG Won't Be Allowed To Play Until He Is 100 Percent Healthy, According To Jerry Reinsdorf

Chicago Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said Saturday that injured point guard Derrick Rose will not be allowed to play until he is completely healthy.

Jerry Reinsdorf just told @espnbrucelevine and @fred_huebner he won't let DRose back unless he's 100 percent healthy.

— Nick Friedell (@ESPNChiBulls) August 11, 2012

Related: Dwight Howard Trade: Chicago Bulls Resigned To Inactivity As Lakers Acquire Star Center

There is no specific timetable for Rose's return from the ACL tear he suffered during the Bulls' first game of the 2012 NBA Playoffs. Updates throughout the summer from doctors on Rose's recovery have generally been positive.

Rose averaged 21.8 points and 7.9 assists per game during an injury-plagued 2011-12 regular season that saw him play in just 39 games.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Dwight Howard Trade: Chicago Bulls Resigned To Inactivity As Lakers Acquire Star Center

The Los Angeles Lakers dealt for Dwight Howard on Thursday. SB Nation Chicago's Ricky O'Donnell thinks the Chicago Bulls should have been more proactive in the trade talks.

Chicago Bulls Will Only Let Adrian Griffin Interview For Head Coaching Jobs

The Orlando Magic reached out to Chicago Bulls assistant coach Adrian Griffin about possibly interviewing for their lead assistant coaching role, but Chicago is apparently only letting Griffin interview for head coaching jobs, as Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com reports.

Griffin was one of many candidates for the Portland Trail Blazers' head coaching gig during this offseason after the Bulls gave him permission to pursue the job, but the job went to former Bucks head coach Terry Stotts. By becoming lead assistant in Orlando, he'd potentially put himself in a position for a promotion to the head role, as Haynes speculates.

In Chicago, Ron Adams is currently the lead assistant coach under Tom Thibodeau, but Griffin is considered an up-and-comer in NBA coaching corners. New Magic coach Jacque Vaughn apparently wanted him to become a key part of his staff, but the Bulls prefer to retain his services going forward.

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Chicago Bulls Spoke With Tracy McGrady, But Talks Have Ended

The Chicago Bulls and free agent Tracy McGrady spoke at one point about a possible deal, but those talks ended a while ago, as Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld reports. After officially signing first-round pick Marquis Teague on Wednesday, the Bulls would need to make a trade to free up cap space to sign the veteran, anyways.

McGrady was considered a possible option for the Bulls to add some scoring depth and a veteran presence to the bench, but now the Bulls would need to do some maneuvering in order to fit him on the roster. By signing Teague, the Bulls now don't have the necessary cap space to offer McGrady the veteran's minimum on a one-year deal.

Because the Bulls can't offer the veteran's minimum, they essentially would need to make a trade or buyout one of their current players in order to make McGrady an offer. At this point, that doesn't seem particularly likely, so Chicago's courtship of the once-elite scorer may be over for now.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Chicago Bulls' Luol Deng Says 'It Is Going To Be Tough' Without Derrick Rose

The Chicago Bulls are going to be without their superstar, point guard Derrick Rose, for a good deal of the 2012-2013 season. This hasn't deterred forward Luol Deng from going ahead and skipping surgery to be a key cog in Chicago's run for the upcoming season, but he's still aware of how difficult things may be:

It’s definitely going to be tough being without [Rose]. He is a big part of everything we do, he is such a huge player to miss that much time but he has got to take his time and come back the best he can be. We’ve lost some guys I really wish had stayed, who I’m friends with and close with. But it’s my ninth year and the roster has been different every year.

As Bulls fans know well, the team made significant moves this offseason to break up the vaunted "Bench Mob" that had been so crucial in the team's recent success. Between those moves and Rose's lengthy absence, Deng should be expecting a very different on-court experience in his third year playing under head coach Tom Thibodeau.

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Derrick Rose Injury Update: Bulls Point Guard To Begin Stationary Court Work Soon, According To Report

Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld.com is reporting Chicago Bulls star PG Derrick Rose will begin stationary court work possibly within a week. The announcement come on the heels of Rose's Tuesday appearance with the Adidas, where he was debuting his latest shoe design:

Derrick Rose in the building @adidasnations

— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) August 7, 2012

For those asking Rose came in a side door and sat front row... did not appear to limp, but didn't walk that far either.

— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) August 7, 2012

Derrick Rose's knee is progressing... looking to get stationary court work in maybe next week...

— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) August 7, 2012

Rose, 23, played in only 39 games in the shortened 2011-12 NBA season, averaging 21.8 points and 7.9 assists per game. He tore his ACL in the waning minutes of the first game of the 2012 NBA Playoffs.

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Luol Deng Will Forgo Wrist Surgery, Play Hurt For Chicago Bulls Next Season

Small forward Luol Deng said on Monday he plans on delaying wrist surgery so he can play for the Chicago Bulls throughout the 2012-2013 season. SB Nation Chicago's Ricky O'Donnell thinks it's the wrong decision.

Chicago Bulls Forward Luol Deng Leads Great Britain To First Olympic Basketball Win In 64 Years

Charles Barkley Calls Bulls' Handling Of Tom Thibodeau A 'Disgrace,' Labels Chicago 'Cheap'

The Chicago Bulls haven't dazzled anyone with their frugal decision making during the 2012 NBA offseason, but TNT analyst and former NBA great Charles Barkley is downright disgusted with how the they've gone about business with regard to head coach Tom Thibodeau. The Bulls picked up Thibodeau's 2013 option earlier in the year, but the two sides have yet to reach a contract extension to keep the 2010-11 NBA Coach of the Year in Chicago long-term. Barkley had some pointed thoughts on the topic that he unleashed during a recent interview on The Waddle & Silvy Show" on ESPN 1000:

"I think it's a disgrace that they haven't taken care of Tom Thibodeau. This guy is unbelievable. I'm surprised they haven't given him a long ... But apparently (the Chicago Bears) screwed Matt Forte for the last year and a half. Something bout you guys in Chicago, you're all cheap, you don't want to pay people."

"The Bulls came out of nowhere the last two years...for that team to have the best record in the NBA (in 2010-11) and be right there again (in '11-12), and I have to tell you something, it ain't like they have a bunch of (butt-kickers) on that team, I might add. They just play great defense, and they play with great energy. But when you stack up the Bulls against the elite teams, they're not the most talented bunch in the world."

He went on to say he thinks the Bulls can win 50 games in 2012-13 despite Derrick Rose's predicted absence during the early part of the year, but their status as a contender isn't quite as clear. In any case, now we all know that he thinks Chicago is cheap and that the Bulls have botched their negotiation process with Tom Thibodeau.

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Chicago Bulls Center Joakim Noah Is Going To Lollapalooza, Jacked Up For Chief Keef

The Chicago Bulls: Stubbornly Cheap Or Brilliantly Frugal?

The Chicago Bulls haven't exactly set the world on fire during the 2012 NBA Free Agency period, and that has drawn the ire of plenty of Bulls throughout the summer. With Derrick Rose on the shelf until at least January, the Bulls completely dismantled their Bench Mob by letting go of Ronnie Brewer, C.J. Watson, Omer Asik and John Lucas III while also trading away Kyle Korver. They saved money by replacing those players with Nazr Mohammed, Marco Belinelli, and Nate Robinson, but did they help the team stay competitive over the long-term or just slash costs because they could do so?

Related: Ricky O'Donnell: Chicago Bulls Sign Nate Robinson To Complete Worst Offseason Ever

It's a difficult question for any Bulls fan to answer, but there has been some great writing on the subject. Matt Moore (aka- @HPBasketball) recently tried to navigate the difficult issue in his article on the NBC Pro Basketball Talk blog, and here is what he had to say:

The Bulls are a classic example of what we expect from big-market owners. We expect them to break the bank to build a winner, to use the resources at their disposal to abuse the inherent advantages and develop a contender. The Bulls have instead tried to develop a contender with considerate, you can even say frugal spending, and have done a pretty decent job at it. But they're judged on a big-market curve and it's there that they fail.

...It's infuriating. It's genius. It's frustrating. It's sustainable. It's a bad way to run a team. It's a great way to run a business. And they'll still manage to succeed enough to put the criticism at bay when the ball is tipped. Thank God for Derrick Rose.

SB Nation Chicago's Managing Editor, Ricky O'Donnell, has crafted his own opinion on the Bulls' tepid offseason, so be sure to check out both articles and figure out where you stand heading into what should be a difficult 2012-13 NBA season.

For more, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Chicago Bulls Draft Pick Marquis Teague Is NBA's Only Unsigned First Rounder

NBA Free Agency: Deal Between Bulls And Tracy McGrady Not Close, According To Report

K.C. Johnson said Tuesday afternoon that the only additional free agent the Bulls might bring in is Tracy McGrady. According to a report from Alex Kennedy later in the day, the two sides aren't anywhere close to coming to coming to terms on a contract.

Tracy McGrady and the Chicago Bulls have flirted in the past, but it doesn't sound like a deal is close.

— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) July 31, 2012

Related: Ricky O'Donnell: Chicago Bulls Sign Nate Robinson To Complete Worst Offseason Ever

McGrady averaged about 16 minutes a night while coming off of Atlanta's bench during the 2011-12 season. He averaged 5.3 points and 2.1 assists per game. The 15-year NBA veteran hasn't averaged double-digit points per game since the 2008-09 season.

For more, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Chicago Bulls Sign Nate Robinson

NBA Free Agency: Nate Robinson Expected To Sign With Bulls, According To Report

Free agent point guard Nate Robinson is likely to sign a contract with the Chicago Bulls, according to his agent. Sports Illustrated's Sam Amick with the report:

Back from vacation & free agency continues: the agent for Nate Robinson, Aaron Goodwin, says the veteran point guard will sign with Chicago today "barring unforeseen problems."

Related: Bulls Rumors: E'Twaun Moore Hoping To Sign Somewhere Next Week

Rumors regarding Robinson's possible signing with Chicago began making the rounds earlier in the afternoon on Monday, perhaps stemming from this tweet.

Robinson averaged 11.2 points and 4.5 assists per game for the Golden State Warriors during the 2011-12 season. The seven-year NBA veteran has played for the Knicks, Celtics and Thunder, in addition to the Warriors.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Bulls Rumors: E'Twaun Moore Hoping To Sign Somewhere Next Week

The Chicago Bulls completely dismantled their Bench Mob during the 2012 NBA offseason by letting go of Ronnie Brewer, C.J. Watson, Omer Asik and John Lucas III while also trading away Kyle Korver, but they've also made some moves to reshape the reserve unit and save some money.

Nazr Mohammed and Marco Belinelli have joined the fray as free agents, and E'Twuan Moore could be next. Moore was sent from Boston to Houston in the Courtney Lee trade and subsequently released, but an earlier report from WEEI in Boston noted that Moore could end up camp with Chicago. On Friday, his agent noted that several NBA teams are interested and that he is hoping to sign an NBA deal in the upcoming week, according to a report from Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe:

Mark Bartelstein, the agent for E'Twaun Moore said several teams are interested in his client and he is hoping for a deal in the next week. Moore was traded by the #celtics to the #rockets and waived earlier this week. Bartelstein said Moore playing overseas is not likely because of the NBA opportunities.

Moore appeared in 38 regular season games with Boston last season. He averaged 8.7 minutes per game, shot 38.1 percent from the field and averaged 2.9 points per game.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Nazr Mohammed Signing: Bulls Agree To Terms With Free Agent Center

The Chicago Bulls have officially announced the signing of free agent C Nazr Mohammed. News of the signing had filtered through the rumor channels last week, but the team had not confirmed the deal until Friday morning.

The 34-year-old Mohammed -- whose first name is pronounced NAH-zee -- is a 14-year veteran who has spent the last two seasons split with the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Charlotte Bobcats. Playing from the bench in the 2011-12 season, Mohammed appeared in 63 games with one start, averaging 8.9 points and 8.8 rebounds per 36 minutes.

Mohammed is expected to replace C Omer Asik on the bench. Asik joined the Houston Rockets earlier in the week when the Bulls officially declined to match the Rockets' offer sheet.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Joakim Noah's 3 Favorite Chicago Athletes Are A.J. Pierzynski, Patrick Kane And Patrick Kane

Joakim Noah Injury Update: Bulls C Says Ankle Still Not 100 Percent, Calls Miami Heat 'Hollywood' Again

The Chicago Bulls will start the 2012-13 season without Derrick Rose at their disposal, but starting center Joakim Noah is doing everything in his power to make sure he is ready to go on day one. Noah suffered through multiple ankle injuries during the NBA season, so he decided to forego the Olympics (he would have played for France) in order to give himself the best chance to enter the upcoming NBA season at peak health.

Noah recently made a visit to ESPN's Sportscenter, and after noting that people "sleeping" on the Bulls will be surprised when the playoffs come around, he clarified the progress on his recovery:

"My ankle is feeling a lot better," he said. "It's not 100 percent. I'm rehabbing it in NYC. It's one of the reasons that I'm not playing in the Olympics this year, to make sure it's 100 percent for the NBA season."

Before the interview ended, Noah made sure to provide a bit of his trademark edginess as well. After calling LeBron James and the Miami Heat "Hollywood" for most of last season, he let it be known that a victory in the NBA Finals hasn't changed his opinion on the Heat:

"Do I still believe they're Hollywood? I think they're Hollywood, but you have to give them credit, they're champions right now," Noah said. "One day I hope to get that. You have to give credit where credit is due."

Never change, Jo.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

The Chicago Bulls Have Never Payed The NBA's Luxury Tax, The Bench Mob Is Dead

The "Bench Mob" Says Goodbye To Chicago

Bulls Offseason 2012: Derrick Rose To Become Father Soon, According To Report

Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose and his girlfriend, Mieka Blackman Reese, are expecting a son in the near future, as Michael Sneed of the Chicago Sun Times reports. It will be Rose's first child, making the young Bulls superstar a father.

These days, Rose has been in Los Angeles rehabbing his surgically repaired knee after tearing an ACL against the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the playoffs. As others have noted, one has to imagine that the young guard welcomes some positive news after a battling through a tough NBA season before missing out on the Olympics.

Now, Rose will soon join fellow superstars like Clippers point guard Chris Paul in fatherhood, a major event for any person regardless of their unique circumstances. As one of the most grounded stars in all of sports, you'd like to believe that Rose will make one awesome dad.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

NBA Free Agency: Knicks Officially Sign Ronnie Brewer To One-Year Contract

The New York Knicks have officially signed free agent shooting guard Ronnie Brewer to a one-year contract, as Jonah Ballow of NYKnicks.com reports. The 27-year-old had spent the past two years with the Chicago Bulls before becoming an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Brewer's 2012-2013 contract with the Bulls wasn't guaranteed, so the team opted not to retain the guard and pay him a $4.37 million salary. The Knicks have already used their mid-level exception and a sign-and-trade with the Bulls wasn't an option, so Brewer presumably signed for the veteran's minimum.

Given Brewer's experience, he'll likely make $1,069,509, as Luke Adams of HoopsRumors.com explains. In New York, Brewer will presumably split time with J.R. Smith at shooting guard while starter Iman Shumpert recovers from a torn ACL.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Bulls Offseason 2012: Chicago's Adrian Griffin No Longer Being Considered For Portland's Head Coach Gig

Chicago Bulls assistant coach Adrian Griffin is no longer being considered for the head coaching job with the Portland Trail Blazers, as Chris Hayes of CSN Northwest reports. Griffin was one of the finalists being considered for the position, but it appears that Portland will go in a different direction to replace Nate McMillan.

According to Jason Quick of the Oregonian, the Blazers are still considering Dallas assistant Terry Stotts, Phoenix assistant Elston Turner, Orlando assistant Steve Clifford and interim head coach Kaleb Canales for the head coaching role.

Griffin, 38, was hired by the Bulls as an assistant coach back in 2010. He began his coaching career under former Bulls coach Scott Skiles in Milwaukee before returning to Chicago, where he played during for over a year-plus in 2006 and 2007.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Chicago Bulls' Miserable Offseason Summed Up In One Deleted Tweet From White Sox Account

SB Nation Chicago's Ricky O'Donnell says you'll never believe the tweet sent out from the official White Sox account on Tuesday, unless you've been paying attention to the Chicago Bulls' yearly finances.

Kirk Hinrich Says He's Healthy, Is Ready To Contribute To Chicago Bulls

The Chicago Bulls lost many valuable players this offseason, but the one they gained certainly seems like more than enough to satisfy management. Guard Kirk Hinrich, who spent his first seven seasons in Chicago after being selected No. 7 overall in the 2003 NBA Draft, was re-introduced today at the Berto Center after officially agreeing to a two-year contract worth about $8 million.

Hinrich struggled mightily last season for the Atlanta Hawks, but says the shoulder and hamstring injury that slowed him shouldn't be much of a factor this season.

"This offseason I've been working really hard, (and) I haven't really felt any ill effects," Hinrich said. "Hopefully, I'm going to stay healthy and be a contributor to a very good team."

General manager Gar Forman also said that signing Hinrich was the team's top offseason priority. Go back and read stories from a month about the team's desire to retain center Omer Asik and call him out for hypocrisy at your own risk.

"When we went into the offseason, it was probably our biggest priority to get a combo guard who we thought could play both spots," general manager Gar Forman said. "Kirk is a proven veteran. We think it's going to be a perfect fit for us — not only this coming year but into the future."

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Kirk Hinrich Signing: Bulls Point Guard Happy To Return To Chicago

The Chicago Bulls brought back their long-time starting point guard this offseason when the came to terms with free agent PG Kirk Hinrich. The 31-year-old veteran and Iowa native signed at two-year, $8 million deal with the Bulls in July, and for Hinrich, it's almost like he never left:

"My family and I are just very excited to be back in the Bulls family," Hinrich said. "I've kept my home here in the offseason. It kind of feels like I left but it really hasn't. I'm very excited. I know a lot of the guys and I'm just looking forward to the opportunity."

Hinrich started 433 games with the Bulls from 2004 to 2010. In his seven seasons with the Bulls, he scored 6902 points and collected 3004 assists. The 2012-13 NBA season will mark his first year under head coach Tom Thibodeau.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Bulls Offseason News: Omer Asik 'Very Thankful' For Time In Chicago

C Omer Asik spoke warmly about the Chicago Bulls organization on Tuesday as he bid goodbye to Chicago. According the Chicago Tribune's K.C. Johnson, Asik is grateful for the players, coaches and fans from his first two NBA seasons:

"I'm very thankful the Bulls gave me the opportunity to start my NBA career in Chicago," Asik said. "It's a great organization in a great city with great fans. It was a great place to be introduced to the NBA because the organization has created a culture of competitiveness and teamwork, good lessons to learn.

"I'm also thankful for all my teammates. Our practices were so competitive that it helped make me a better player. We had great leadership too ..."

Asik played mostly from the bench for the Bulls, but the Houston Rockets sent a three-year, $25 million offer sheet his way and the Bulls elected not to match.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Omer Asik Offer Sheet: Bulls Officially Decline; Asik Signs With Rockets

The Houston Rockets will be adding another young piece to the their rapidly changing roster. According Nick Friedell of ESPN Chicago, the Chicago Bulls have officially declined the three-year, $25 million offer sheet for C Omer Asik:

Chicago Bulls officially decline to match Houston Rockets offer to Omer Asik. #NBA

— Nick Friedell (@ESPNChiBulls) July 24, 2012

Asik played with the Bulls in the 2010-11 and 2011-12 NBA seasons, logging 148 appearances and only 2 starts. Playing as a member of the lauded "Bench Mob" group, he compiled an average of 8.0 points and 12.0 rebounds per 36 minutes over his first two NBA seasons.

With the departure of Asik, the Bulls will likely be handing the bench role to newly-acquired C Nazr Mohammed.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Chicago Bulls Could Find Kobe Bryant, Dirk Nowitzki, Other Old Guys On Free Agent Market In 2014

The Chicago Bulls are reportedly committed to clearing out max space space for free agency in 2014. SB Nation Chicago's Ricky O'Donnell has a breakdown of some of the names available that summer, and it isn't pretty.

Knicks Sign Ronnie Brewer To 1-Year Deal, According To Report

Former Chicago Bulls swingman Ronnie Brewer is still wearing a Bulls uniform in the picture on his Twitter profile, but he's found a new team for the 2012-13 NBA season. According to David Aldridge of NBA.com, Brewer agreed to terms with the New York Knicks on a one-year deal as of Tuesday morning.

Knicks continue to build backcourt, agreeing 2 terms with ex-Bull Ronnie Brewer on one-year deal, per source. Check the Hang Time Bkog soon.

— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) July 24, 2012

Brewer started 43 games in 2012 while Richard Hamilton dealt with various injuries, and the 27-year-old veteran will provide some much-needed depth for the Knicks on the wing. Brewer played two seasons in Chicago, but the organization declined to pick up his team option of $4.37 million earlier in the summer. Chicago's "Bench Mob" has been unceremoniously dismantled during the offseason, but at least Brewer landed in a nice spot where he can continue his NBA career.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Chicago Bulls Target Randy Foye Signs With Utah Jazz

The Chicago Bulls are close to completing their roster for the 2012-2013 season, though the team could still ink one or two more players to minimum contracts before the campaign begins. Chicago signed guard Marco Belinelli to the bi-annual exception on Monday, and was reportedly still interested in Randy Foye last night before the guard agreed to a one-year contract with the Utah Jazz. Foye, a 6-foot-4 combo guard who was draft No. 7 overall in the 2006, played 65 games for the Los Angeles Clippers last season, averaging 11 points and 2.2 assists per game.

The Bulls only have the veteran's minimum to offer. Here is the Bulls roster as it currently stands:

G Derrick Rose

G Richard Hamilton

G Marquis Teague

G Kirk Hinrich

G Marco Belinelli

F Luol Deng

F Taj Gibson

F Vladimir Radmanovic

F Carlos Boozer

F Jimmy Butler

C Joakim Noah

C Nazr Mohammed

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Chicago Bulls Will Officially Decline To Match Houston Rockets' Offer Sheet To Omer Asik On Tuesday

Bulls Free Agency 2012: PG Kirk Hinrich Officially Signs For 2-years, $8 Million

The Chicago Bulls officially announced the signing of PG Kirk Hinrich to a two-year deal for roughly $8 million deal which had been publicly reported weeks earlier, but not officially announced until Monday. According to Hinrich, the opportunity to return to the Bulls was too good to pass up:

"I’m very excited to be back in Chicago and to wear a Bulls uniform once again," said Hinrich. "I look forward to getting back out on the court as a Bull, and contributing to the team in any way I can."

The 31-year-old point guard played his previous two seasons with the Washington Wizards and the Atlanta Hawks, mostly as a starter. With the Bulls, Hinrich figures to fill in a key bench role for the team while PG Derrick Rose recovers from his ACL tear suffered early in the 2012 NBA Playoffs.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

NBA Free Agency 2012: Bulls Sign SG Marco Belinelli, Target F Malcolm Thomas

According to Sam Aggrey of CSN Chicago, the Chicago Bulls have signed SG Marco Belinelli and are targeting F Malcolm Thomas to a minor deal:

Source confirms Marco Bellinelli's deal with the Bulls is done. Also: Bulls attempting to sign summer-leaguer Malcolm Thomas to 1-year deal.

— Aggrey Sam (@CSNBullsInsider) July 23, 2012

Belinelli played his previous two seasons with the New Orleans Hornets and averaged 11.8 points and 2.6 rebounds per game in the 2011-12 NBA season. The 26-year-old veteran hails from Bologna, Italy, and will likely fill in the three-point shooting bench role vacated following the SG Kyle Korver trade.

The 23-year-old Thomas, meanwhile, appeared in three games for the San Antonio Spurs in the 2011-12 season, and also played in 25 NBA Development League games across three different teams. He averaged 15.0 points and 10.2 rebounds per 36 minutes in the D-League.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

The Chicago Bulls Appear Content To 'Tread Water' For The Next Two Seasons

The Chicago Bulls are ready to wave the white flag for the next two seasons. SB Nation Chicago's Ricky O'Donnell says it didn't have to be this way, and that the emphasis on saving money over winning games is unacceptable.

Omer Asik Offer Sheet: Bulls Have Until Wednesday To Match

The countdown has begun. On Sunday, the Chicago Bulls officially received the three-year, $25 million "poison pill" offer sheet signed by Omer Asik and the Houston Rockets, and they have a 72-hour window in which to match the contract.

Though speculation early in the process was that the Bulls were going to hold onto Asik, conventional wisdom now holds that the Bulls are going to let Asik walk. The signing of veteran center Nazr Mohammed is being seen as a signal that the Bulls are going to go in a cheaper direction for the upcoming season and have no desire to approach or pass the NBA's luxury tax threshold, which they almost certainly would if they matched Houston's offer sheet.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

NBA Free Agency 2012: Bulls To Sign Nazr Mohammed

The Chicago Bulls are reportedly on the verge of signing veteran center and Chicago native Nazr Mohammed, reports Nick Friedell of ESPN Chicago. The terms of the deal have not yet been revealed, but the Bulls were informed late Saturday night that Mohammed had chosen to Chicago over the Brooklyn Nets, at which point the Bulls front office decided to go ahead with the signing.

What this means for Omer Asik remains to be seen, but Friedell believes that it signals the end of his time in Chicago as the Bulls look to stay under the NBA's luxury tax line. Mohammed, who averaged three points and three rebounds a game for the Oklahoma City Thunder last season, is certainly no Asik, but head coach Tom Thibodeau will have to make due.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Brian Scalabrine Will Not Return To Chicago Bulls: A Retrospective

Bulls Rumors: Anthony Tolliver Says Timberwolves, Cavaliers Are Leading Free Agent Suitors

The Chicago Bulls have been rumored to be interested in signing free agent center Anthony Tolliver for over a week, but they may have to strike quickly if they still hope to add the 27-year-old to their roster. Tolliver recently told Chris Tomasson of FOX Sports that the Cleveland Cavaliers and Minnesota Timberwolves are the front runners for his services, ahead of other suitors like the Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks, Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards.

Tolliver has posted a career Player Efficiency Rating (PER) of just 12.0, and his during his most recent season with the Timberwolves he posted the lowest PER value (8.3) since his rookie season (7.6) and also recorded the lowest rebounding rates of his career. Is he worth all the fuss? In a free agent market where most seven-foot centers are signing deals with eight-figure annual salaries, Tolliver is still expected to be a cheap option for next season.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Omer Asik Contract Update: Asik Signs Offer Sheet With Rockets

The three-year, $25.1 million "poison pill" offer sheet agreed to by Chicago Bulls center Omer Asik and the Houston Rockets has been news for weeks now. Asik, though, never actually signed the contract until Friday night. Ken Berger of CBSSports.com reported on Friday night that Asik has finally put pen to paper, accelerating the timeline that will eventually determine where Asik plays basketball for the next three seasons.

Chicago, though, has yet to formally receive the offer sheet from Houston, meaning that their 48-hour window in which to match or not match the deal has yet to start. There has been no indication of when the Bulls expect to receive the offer sheet, but common sense would hold that it will be sometime over the weekend.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Bulls Free Agency 2012: E'Twaun Moore Could End Up In Bulls Camp, According To Report

E'Twaun Moore was sent from Boston to Houston in the Courtney Lee trade, but he is expected to be released by the Rockets. And according to a report from WEEI in Boston, there is a solid chance Moore ends up in Bulls camp.

A league source tells WEEI.com that after his expected release from Houston, E’Twaun Moore expects to wind up in Bulls camp and get a look with former Celtics defensive guru and current Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau.

(Via Chuck Swirsky.)

Related: With Jeremy Lin Headed To Houston, Chicago Bulls Face No-Win Situation With Omer Asik Offer Sheet

Moore appeared in 38 regular season games with the Celtics during the 2011-12 season and averaged 8.7 minutes per contest. He shot 38.1% from the field and averaged 2.9 points per game.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Bulls Free Agency 2012: Rockets Still Expected To Sign Omer Asik To Offer Sheet Friday

The Houston Rockets will likely sign Bulls restricted free agent Omer Asik to an offer sheet on Friday as expected, according to a report from Mark Berman.

Per NBA sources: Rockets will sign Bulls RFA center Omer Asik to an offer sheet this afternoon. Chicago will have 3 days to match.

— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) July 20, 2012

Related: With Jeremy Lin Headed To Houston, Chicago Bulls Face No-Win Situation With Omer Asik Offer Sheet

The Bulls will have three days to contemplate matching the three-year, backloaded offer Asik is getting from the Rockets. The deal, worth $25 million in total, will pay Asik $15 million in the third year.

Asik averaged 3.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game during the 2011-12 season.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Bulls Free Agency 2012: Chicago Targeting SG Marco Belinelli, According To Report

Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld.com is reporting the Chicago Bulls appear to be contending for the services of SG Marco Belinelli:

It sounds like Marco Belinelli and the Chicago Bulls are in advanced talks. Nothing imminent, but he may sign for the bi-annual exception.

— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) July 20, 2012

Belinelli, a native of Bologna, Italy, played in all 66 games for the New Orleans Hornets in the 2011-12 NBA season with 55 starts. The 26-year-old veteran averaged 14.3 points and 3.1 rebounds per 36 minutes, but had only a 10.91 player efficiency rating.

The Bulls currently have SG Richard Hamilton in their starting rotation, but appear to be looking for a replacement for the recently-departed SG Ronnie Brewer.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

VIDEO: Derrick Rose Checks In With Chicago Bulls Fans

2012 NBA Free Agency: Timberwolves Targeting SG Ronnie Brewer, According To Report

According to Ray Richardson of TwinCities.com, the Minnesota Timberwolves may be targeting Chicago Bulls free agent SG Ronnie Brewer.

Brewer played a major role for the 2011-12 Chicago Bulls team, collecting 43 starts in lieu of the injured SG Richard Hamilton. The 27-year-old veteran played two seasons in Chicago, mostly as a bench player, and was a part of the lauded "Bench Mob."

Other members of the Chicago bench have already moved on to other destinations, including free agent PG John Lucas III, who is poised to sign with Toronto Raptors, and SG Kyle Korver, who has been traded to the Atlanta Hawks in order to add PG Kirk Hinrich. However, the team is expected to retain C Omer Asik.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Dwight Howard Will Reportedly Test Free Agency After 2012-2013 Season

Courtney Lee Trade: SG Dealt To The Boston Celtics, According To Report

The Chicago Bulls recently had shown interest in Rockets shooting guard Courtney Lee, but that option is now off the table, as Lee has been traded to the Boston Celtics in exchange for JaJuan Johnson, E'Twaun Moore, Sean Williams and a second round draft pick.

The Celtics continued to bolster their bench Thursday, nabbing their No. 1 free-agent target, Courtney Lee, in a sign-and-trade deal with the Houston Rockets, according to a source. The source confirmed that second-year forward JaJuan Johnson is headed to Houston as part of the deal. Fellow second-year player E'Twaun Moore and backup center Sean Williams are also headed to the Rockets along with a 2013 second-round pick that was originally Charlotte's.

Related: With Jeremy Lin Headed To Houston, Chicago Bulls Face No-Win Situation With Omer Asik Offer Sheet

Lee averaged 11.4 points and 2.7 rebounds per game for Houston during the 2011-12 season. The four-year NBA veteran is a career 38.6% three-point shooter.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

NBA Free Agent News: PG John Lucas III To Sign With Toronto Raptors

The Chicago Bulls will be saying goodbye to another member of their lauded bench, as PG John Lucas III will be signing a multi-year deal with the Toronto Raptors. Lucas spent the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons on the Bulls bench and made some important contributions in 2012 when PG Derrick Rose was struggling with injuries.

The 29-year-old Lucas averaged a career-high 726 minutes with an average of 14.8 minutes per game. Here is a look at Lucas' stats from the 2011-12 season:

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

NBA Free Agent News: Lakers Ink Antwan Jamison, JaVale McGee Stays With Nuggets

Veteran forward Antwan Jamison had a two-year, $8 million offer from the Charlotte Bobcats, but the 36-year old will instead head to the Los Angeles Lakers on a one-year deal for the veteran's minimum. Jamison averaged 17.2 points and 6.3 rebounds per game last season in 65 games with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Jamison will join the 38-year old Steve Nash and the soon to be 34-year old Kobe Bryant to give the Lakers what might be the NBA's most seasoned roster.

Here's what else is happening around the NBA...

• Center JaVale McGee is staying with the Denver Nuggets on a four-year, $44 million deal. The 24-year old 7-footer averaged 11.3 points per game last season for the Nuggets and Wizards.
  
• The Portland Trail Blazers are matching the offer sheet the Minnesota Timberwolves gave small forward Nicolas Batum. The small forward will get a $1.5 signing bonus.
• Portland is also poised to sign guard Ronnie Price.
• The Houston Rockets have waived Jon Leuer and Jerome Jordan. Once the players clear waivers, Houston will be set to officially sign Omer Asik to a three-year, $25 million offer sheet.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Chicago Bulls Agree To Contract With Forward Vladimir Radmanović, According To Report

According to David Kaplan of Comcast SportsNet, the Chicago Bulls will sign forward Vladimir Radmanović to a one-year deal. The contract is very likely for the veteran's minimum. Radmanović averaged 4.5 points and 2.9 rebounds per game in 49 games for the Atlanta Hawks last season.

The 31-year old Radmanović is an 11-year pro who was the 12th overall selection in the 2001 NBA Draft by the Seattle Supersonics. He averaged a career-high 12 points per game for the Sonics in 2003-2004.

Radmanović is a solid three-pointer shooter who will be expected to replace the long distance shooting of the departed Kyle Korver. He hit 50 three-pointers last season at a 37 percent clip, and made 70 three-pointers for the Golden State Warriors in 2010-2011 at a 40.5 percent clip.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Bulls Free Agency 2012: Raptors Near Deal With John Lucas III, According To Report

The Toronto Raptors are closing in on a contract with free agent point guard John Lucas III, according to sources that have spoken with ESPN's Marc Stein. The two sides are reportedly in advanced discussions to complete a multi-year contract that will bring Lucas above the border.

After years as a journeyman, playing around Europe, Asia and the D-League, Lucas finally established himself in the NBA over the past two years with the Chicago Bulls. Playing a reserve role behind starter Derrick Rose and back-up C.J. Watson, injuries afforded him the opportunities to flash his impressive scoring ability.

In Toronto, Lucas will presumably remain on the bench, filling a back-up role behind the Raptors' new starting point guard, Kyle Lowry. Toronto still has Jose Calderon around, but Stein notes that both sides are working on trade possibilities to find the Spaniard a new home.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Bulls Free Agency 2012: Chicago Is Front-Runner To Sign Darko Milicic

The Chicago Bulls are among the front-runners to acquire the services of free agent center Darko Milicic, as Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports reports. Spears also lists the Brooklyn Nets, Miami Heat and Los Angeles Clippers as teams that have emerged in pursuit of the center.

Last week, Milicic was waived via the amnesty clause by the Minnesota Timberwolves, removing the remaining two years and $10 million owed to him off their salary cap. Having passed through waivers unclaimed, Milicic has since become an unrestricted free agent, allowing him to negotiate with all 30 NBA teams.

For the Bulls, Milicic could potentially provide some added depth in the front court. If the team opts not to match the offer sheet that the Houston Rockets have extended to restricted free agent Omer Asik, Milicic is one possibility to take over as Joakim Noah's back-up.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

With Jeremy Lin Headed To Houston, Chicago Bulls Face No-Win Situation With Omer Asik Offer Sheet

The Chicago Bulls are about to decide whether to match the Houston Rockets' three-year, $25 million offer sheet to backup center Omer Asik. SB Nation Chicago's Ricky O'Donnell thinks the Bulls are screwed either way.

NBA Rumors: Lakers Push For Dwight Howard, Jeremy Lin Goes To Houston Rockets

The storyline that has held the NBA news cycle hostage for over a year continues to plod forward without much progress. Dwight Howard wanted the Brooklyn Nets, and the Nets wanted Howard. Howard wanted a max contract this offseason and had an out in his deal with the Orlando Magic that would have made him a free agent. The Nets had enough space to take him on. Somehow, all of the parties misplayed their hand in search of a few more dollars, and now Howard's dream of taking his vast Ed Hardy t-shirt collection to the Nets seems dead. So, what's next?

Of course, it's circled back to the Los Angeles Lakers. Howard said he would not sign an extension with L.A., presumably scared of following a little too closely in Shaq's footsteps. The Magic and Lakers are currently engaging in discussions to bring Howard to Los Angeles, but it still appears to be in the preliminary stages. Lakers center Andrew Bynum, who would go to Orlando in a proposed trade, doesn't want to sign an extension with the Magic, either. So here we are, all these months later, with too many parties halting on the whims of a dominant center with a balky back. There is no end in sight.

• 'Linsanity' is off to Houston. The New York Knicks refused to match the Houston Rockets' offer sheet to Jeremy Lin, so the budding point guard will leave Madison Square Garden for the Toyota Center.
• Courtney Lee wants to be a member of the Boston Celtics, but it appears as if Boston can only offer $1.9 million per season. Lee wants more than that.
• The Los Angeles Clippers waived Ryan Gomes and signed 39-year old forward Grant Hill.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Houston Rockets' Offer Sheet To Omer Asik Will Likely Become Official On Friday

Bulls Offseason News: Assistant Coach Adrian Griffin A Candidate For Blazers Head Coaching Position

The Chicago Bulls may be losing one of their assistants this offseason. K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune is reporting the Bulls assistant coach, Adrian Griffin, may be up for the Portland Trail Blazers head coaching vacancy:

Bulls assistant Adrian Griffin joined long list of candidates to interview for Blazers' head coaching job Monday in Vegas.

— K.C Johnson (@KCJHoop) July 17, 2012

Griffin played in the NBA for nine seasons, including two separate stings in Chicago. He has been a Bulls assistant head coach since 2010 and worked as an assistant with the Milwaukee Bucks before that. Former Bulls head coach Scott Skiles and current head coach Tom Thibodeau have both praised Griffin as being a potential head coach.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Bulls 2012-13 Preseason Schedule: Thunder, Bucks And Timberwolves Come To Town

The Chicago Bulls released their preseason schedule for the upcoming 2012-13 NBA season on Tuesday morning, and they will play games against the Memphis Grizzlies, Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Milwaukee Bucks, Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers.

The Bulls will play one game at the University of Illinois' Assembly Hall in Champaign (Oct. 12 vs. Cavs) and one game at Notre Dame's Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center (Oct. 26 vs. Pacers). Here is a look at the team's complete schedule, via Bulls.com.

Chicago Bulls 2012-13 Preseason Schedule

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Chicago Bulls Still Haven't Received Houston Rockets' Offer Sheet For Omer Asik

NBA Free Agency News: Kris Humphries Gets $24 Million From Nets, Grant Hill Talks To L.A. Clippers

The NBA free agent market continues to dwindle down as the Chicago Bulls wait to make their decide whether the team will match the Houston Rockets' offer sheet to backup center Omer Asik. As one target (guard O.J. Mayo, who signed a two-year deal with the Dallas Mavericks) went off the board on Monday night, Chicago now appears resigned to signing a slew of players for the minimum contract following their decision on Asik.

The biggest bit of free agency news so far on Tuesday involves power forward Kris Humphries, who is headed back to the Brooklyn Nets on a two-year, $24 million contract. The 27-year old averaged 13.8 points and 11 rebounds per game for the Nets last season while posting a PER of 17.98. He will make exactly $12 million in each season.

Here are some other news and notes from around the NBA:

• Grant Hill is being courted by the Los Angeles Clippers, though it's still more like he ends up on the Lakers.
• After doing some extension research, the Minnesota Timberwolves are not expected to pursue Philadelphia 76ers small forward Andre Iguodala.
• The second season on Mayo's contract with Dallas is a player option. This means that if the 24-year old puts up a career year, he'll again have the opportunity to cash-in on the open market.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

O.J. Mayo Signs With Dallas Mavericks

Kyle Korver Trade: Deal With Hawks Is Official; Bulls Receive $5 Million Trade Exception From Atlanta

On Monday afternoon, the Chicago Bulls officially announced the trade of shooting guard Kyle Korver to the Atlanta Hawks. In exchange, the Bulls will receive a $5 million trade exception.

Finally some closure: Korver goes straight to ATL for cash. So the Bulls get $5 mil trade exception.

— Mike McGraw (@McGrawDHBulls) July 16, 2012

Related: NBA Trade Rumors: Chicago Bulls Reportedly Shopping Richard Hamilton

Korver, who spent two seasons in Chicago, averaged 8.1 points and 2.4 rebounds for the Bulls during the 2011-12 season. In a radio interview last Friday, Korver expressed his disappointment over the deal:

"It's a bit of a bummer for sure," Korver told ESPN 1000's "Chicago's GameNight" on Friday. "I love Chicago. I loved putting on a Bulls uniform. ... What do you do? We learned this is a business and teams are going to make business decisions. I'm gonna go to Atlanta and try and go out there and play well."

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

NBA Trade Rumors: Chicago Bulls Reportedly Shopping Richard Hamilton

The Chicago Bulls are continuing to explore ways to improve— or maybe merely maintain— the quality of their roster while staying under the NBA's luxury tax line, and one of their more recent pursuits has been trying to rid themselves of shooting guard Richard Hamilton. K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune reported on Friday that Chicago is shopping Hamilton and his expiring deal, but have at the moment found no takers.

Hamilton is guaranteed $5 million in the upcoming season and only $1 million in 2013-2014, but the Bulls are having trouble finding a team willing to take on a 34-year-old shooting guard who played in only 28 games last season. The Bulls could likely find a trade partner at some point before the trade deadline, but that won't help in their pursuit to match Omer Asik's offer sheet with the Houston Rockets.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Bulls Free Agency Rumors: Chicago Targeting G O.J. Mayo, According To Report

Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! is reporting the Chicago Bulls are among the teams pursuing SG O.J. Mayo -- and they could be just days away from acquiring him:

Free agent G OJ Mayo getting interest from Lakers, Chicago, Phoenix and Dallas and hopes to make decision in next 10 days, source tells Y!

— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) July 14, 2012

Mayo has spent the first four seasons of his NBA career with the Memphis Grizzlies, averaging 16.7 points per 36 minutes. In the 2011-12 NBA season, he sported a career-high 14.72 player efficiency rating as a 24-year-old.

The Bulls currently have SG Richard Hamilton as their starting shooting guard, but injuries limited him to just 28 games and a career-low 697 minutes.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

NBA Free Agency 2012: C.J. Watson Signs 2-Year Deal With New Jersey Nets

According to Peter Vescey of Hoop Du Jour, the New Jersey Nets have signed former Bulls bench player PG C.J. Watson:

This just in: Nets have come to terms with C.J. Watson as backup point. Two years at vet minimum. Watson owns option on second year

— Peter Vecsey (@PeterVecsey1) July 15, 2012

In the 2011-12 NBA Season, the Chicago Bulls struggled with their fair share of injuries, PG Derrick Rose among them, Watson stepped up and started in 25 games, sporting a decent 14.62 player efficiency rating, and helped the Bulls to finish with the best record in the NBA.

But, with increasing demands on the team's budget and the addition of first-round pick PG Marquis Teague in the first round of the 2012 NBA Draft, the Bulls have elected to sign PG Kirk Hinrich and allow Watson to walk.

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Bulls Offseason News: Rockets Won't Sign Omer Asik To Offer Sheet Until Jeremy Lin Decision

While it appears almost inevitable that the New York Knicks will match the offer the Houston Rockets made to Jeremy Lin, the decision is affecting the Chicago Bulls. That is because the Rockets will not sign Omer Asik to an offer sheet until there is a resolution with Lin.

Rockets will sign Omer Asik to his offer sheet after New York matches or - ahem - chooses not to.

— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) July 13, 2012

There has been little to indicate that the Chicago Bulls would even match the Rockets' offer to Asik, but they can't officially make that decision until Lin's future is decided.

Asik has played two seasons for Chicago and averaged 2.9 points per game during that time.

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Bulls Offseason News: Jimmy Butler Ready For Bigger Role

With Kyle Korver gone and Ronnie Brewer still unsigned by the Chicago Bulls, the door could be open for Jimmy Butler. The second-year player told NBA.com that he is ready to contribute more.

"Tremendously excited," said Butler this week when asked about the possibility of embracing an expanded role. "This is the time I’ve been waiting on and working towards. All the time I’ve put in at the gym, now I can let it show."

In his rookie season with the Bulls, Butler made an appearance in just 42 games, averaging 2.6 points per game. He will play in the Las Vegas Summer League next week.

He was the Bulls first round pick the 2011 NBA Draft.

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Bulls Trade Rumors: Chicago Reportedly Sends SG Kyle Korver To Atlanta Hawks

According to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Bulls have sent nine-year veteran SG Kyle Korver to the Atlanta Hawks:

Pending passed physical, Bulls have traded Kyle Korver to Atlanta. Could be sign-and-trade w/Hinrich. Details soon at chicagotribune.com.

— K.C Johnson (@KCJHoop) July 13, 2012

Korver played with the Bulls in the 2010-11 and 2011-12 NBA seasons, averaging 8.2 points per game across 147 appearances, mostly off the bench. The team had been shopping for potential trade partners over the last few days and only recently ended talks with the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Portland Trail Blazers.

Earlier speculation from Johnson suggested the Bulls might execute a sign-and-trade with the Hawks in order to acquire PG Kirk Hinrich while preserving their mini-mid level exception.

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NBA Trade Rumors 2012: Bulls Interested In C Anthony Tolliver, According To Report

According to Mike McGraw of the Daily Herald, the Chicago Bulls may be targeting C Anthony Tolliver, currently under contract with the Minnesota Timberwovles. Tolliver, McGraw suggests, could ultimately fit in a trade that would send SG Kyle Korver to Minnesota.

The 27-year-old Tolliver has played parts of six seasons in the NBA, despite entering the league undrafted, and has been playing for the Wolves for two consecutive seasons now. In the 2009-2010 and 2010-11 seasons, he played significant time with both the Golden State Warriors and Minnesota, but in 2011-12, his playing time reduced as did his effectiveness.

According to his player efficiency rating, Tolliver had his worst numbers of the last three seasons in 2011-12, posting an 8.23 APER to go with 8.5 points and 6.2 rebounds per 36 minutes.

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Bulls Rumors: Chicago To Match Omer Asik Offer Sheet, According To Report

The Chicago Bulls, once though likely to part ways with C Omer Asik, appear to be on the verge of retaining the 26-year-old big man. According to ESPN's Ric Bucher, the Bulls never considered parting ways with Asik:

"As for matching the offer from the Houston Rockets for Omer Asik, I am told that the Bulls will do that -- never had a question about doing that -- even though it is a very high price to pay for a young, unproven big man."

The Houston Rockets offered Asik a $25 million, back-loaded contract in early July. If the Bulls match the offer, there is a chance the team will be unable to retain other key bench players, such as PF Taj Gibson, for the long term.

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Bulls Rumors: John Lucas III Could Return, Tom Thibodeau Wants Everyone Back

The Chicago Bulls have been moving slowly and methodically in free agency while they await the formal execution of the offer sheet from the Houston Rockets for Omer Asik, but they still need to do additional work to shore up the backcourt heading into next season. Star point guard Derrick Rose will be on the shelf until at least late-December while he recovers from knee surgery, so the Bulls will need capable bodies.

Kirk Hinrich is on his way in, but Ronnie Brewer and C.J. Watson are gone and Kyle Korver could be on the move soon. Patrick Beverley has been linked to the Bulls in free agency rumors and Marquis Teague could contribute as a rookie, but apparently Chicago hasn't ruled out re-signing John Lucas III. He played solid minutes for the Bulls last season, and K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune notes that Lucas could be in line for a larger role if asked to bridge the gap until Rose returns:

The Bulls haven't ruled out re-signing John Lucas III. They own his "Early Bird" rights and can pay more than his other suitors, which include the Wizards and Heat. Coach Tom Thibodeau long has valued Lucas and hasn't ruled out a significant role until Rose returns should Lucas re-sign.

The news that Thibodeau values Lucas shouldn't come as a surprise, because Thibs seems to have a soft spot for everyone from last year's squad. This revelation comes from Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports:

Management kept going through roster scenarios w/ Tom Thibodeau and asking: Who do you want to keep? His answer, basically: "All of them."

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 12, 2012

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Bulls Free Agency 2012: Mike McGraw Believes Chicago Has Reached Out To Greg Oden

Noting that the team has casted an extremely wide net this year, Mike McGraw of the Daily Herald suggests that the Chicago Bulls have already reached out to free agent center Greg Oden this offseason. Oden was released by the Portland Trail Blazers this year after proving to be one of the biggest busts in NBA history.

Once considered one of the best young big men in history after being selected No. 1 overall in 2007, a variety of injuries have made it essentially impossible for Oden to reach his lofty potential. Teams continue to show interest in the center despite those struggles, though, given his size, pedigree and youth.

Even after appearing in just 82 games over the past four seasons, one could still argue that Oden has a shot at making it in the NBA. Despite all of those wasted years, he's still just 24 years old, and the size that always made him so intriguing has never gone away. It's a combination of factors that will likely land him a job next season if he can stay healthy.

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Bulls Free Agency: C.J. Watson Drawing Interest As Waiver Claim

Several teams have shown interest in claiming Chicago Bulls point guard C.J. Watson off waivers this week, according to Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld. The Bulls recently decided to decline their 2012 option for Watson's services, placing the guard on waivers rather than guarantee his $3.7 million salary for next season.

According to Kennedy, teams can still claim Watson off waivers until 5 p.m. ET on Friday. If that happens, the team will presumably exercise Watson's option, which isn't particularly expensive for an effective point guard. Otherwise, Watson will become an unrestricted free agent, allowing him to negotiate with all 30 teams.

Last season, Watson averaged 9.7 points per game and 4.1 assists per game while appearing in 49 games, including 25 starts as Derrick Rose battled a variety of injuries. Over the past few years, he's become an increasingly perimeter-oriented player, and his efficiency has suffered as a result.

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NBA Free Agency 2012: Knicks Interested In Ronnie Brewer, According To Report

Ronnie Brewer is reportedly receiving some interest from the New York Knicks. The Chicago Bulls recently declined the guard-forward's 2013 option, making him an unrestricted free agent.

A source very close to Ronnie Brewer said the Knicks have expressed "some interest" in the six-year swingman. His team last season, the Bulls, didn't pick up his team option of $4.37 million, thereby making him an unrestricted free agent.

Related: Bulls Free Agency 2012: Chicago Exploring Trade Options For Kyle Korver

Brewer appeared in all 66 regular season games for the Bulls during the 2011-12 season and made 43 starts. He averaged 6.9 points and 3.5 rebounds in 24.8 minutes per game.

Brewer spent the last two seasons in Chicago.

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NBA Free Agency 2012: Bulls Among Teams Showing Interest In Anthony Tolliver, According To Report

The Chicago Bulls have some interest in free agent forward Anthony Tolliver, according to a report from FOX Sports' Chris Tomasson.

Until getting Rashard Lewis, Heat were looking at FA F Anthony Tolliver Teams now eyeing Tolliver: Chicago Dallas Cleveland Lakers Minnesota

— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) July 12, 2012

(Via Blog a Bull.)

Related: Bulls Free Agency 2012: Chicago Exploring Trade Options For Kyle Korver

Tolliver averaged 4.1 points and 3.0 rebounds per game for the Minnesota Timberwolves during the 2011-12 season. He appeared in 51 games, primarily as a reserve. Tolliver spent the last two seasons in Minnesota and played in a total of 116 games.

For his career, Tolliver is averaging 6.8 points per game. He has appeared in 181 games over four seasons.

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Bulls Summer League Roster: Marquis Teague, Jimmy Butler Headline Offseason Team

K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune is reporting the Chicago Bulls have released their 2012 Summer League roster, most notably including a pair of recent first-round draft picks in PG Marquis Teague and SF Jimmy Butler. Here is a look at the full roster:

Guards

• Marquis Teague
• Chase Simon
• Demetri McCamey
• Jermaine Taylor
• Ramone Moore

Forwards

• Jimmy Butler
• Leon Powe
• Malcolm Thomas
• Edwin Ubiles
• Olek Czyz
• Jamie Skeen

Centers

• Henry Sims

The Bulls are expected to lean on PG Marquis Teague a bit more than they might usually in the 2012-13 NBA Season as the team's top point guard, All-Star PG Derrick Rose, is expected to missed as much as half the season as he recovers from an ACL tear.

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Bulls Free Agency 2012: Chicago Exploring Trade Options For Kyle Korver

The Chicago Bulls are retooling their roster as the team deals with the heavy end of series of contracts. C Omer Asik, G-F Ronnie Brewer and SG C.J. Watson are on paths paved towards the exit, and it appears likely SG Kyle Korver is moving in that same direction.

Earlier NBA trade rumors suggested the Minnesota Timberwolves or the Portland Trail Blazers had interest in trading for Korver, but it appears the Atlanta Hawks remain the favorite after another day of jostling:

Korver talks with Wolves and Blazers have died. Assume Bulls will circle back to Atlanta, which has traded player exception he'd fit into.

— K.C Johnson (@KCJHoop) July 12, 2012

And the Korver trade may ultimately pave the way for a finalized deal for PG Kirk Hinrich via a sign-and-trade arrangement:

Possible. Told they're still "finalizing details" on Kirk. RT @BullsBlogger: Any indication they would try and work in a S/T for Hinrich?

— K.C Johnson (@KCJHoop) July 12, 2012

The Bulls are looking to orchestrate a second Chicago tour of duty for Hinrich, but may want to find a way to preserve their mini-mid level exception by trading Korver for Hinrich.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Bulls Free Agency 2012: Omer Asik Offer Sheet Decision Linked To Taj Gibson's Future

The Chicago Bulls are still waiting on the Houston Rockets to formally sign restricted free agent center Omer Asik to a three-year, $25.1 million offer sheet loaded with a "poison pill" in the form of a $14.9 million salary for the final year, but management is busy thinking about the future of the frontcourt before they decide to match the forthcoming offer. The biggest concern for Chicago is how the deal would impact their ability to retain Taj Gibson, who is under team control through the 2013-14 season. Under the structure of the Rockets' offer sheet, Asik would be due a huge payment for 2014-15, which would make it nearly impossible for the Bulls to re-sign Gibson without triggering the harsh penalties under the NBA's luxury tax system.

As Bulls consider match on Omer Asik's $25M Houston offer sheet, one major financial concern is rising future price of paying Taj Gibson.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 12, 2012

In the meantime, Gibson is working hard to raise his price and is already eyeing a new set of teeth to buy with that big money he has coming his way in a few years. Isn't that sweet (pun intended)?

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Bulls Free Agency Rumors: Michael Redd Or Patrick Beverley Could Round Out Roster

The Chicago Bulls have cut ties with Ronnie Brewer and are looking to trade Kyle Korver, so now they are reportedly pursuing cheaper free agent options like Michael Redd and Patrick Beverley to fill out their backcourt rotation for the 2012-13 NBA season. Chris Tomasson of FOX Sports Florida reported on Thursday that the Bulls are interested in adding Redd to the roster as a cheaper three-point shooting specialist than Korver (the team holds a $5.1 million option for the upcoming season on Korver), but the Phoenix Suns have also shown interest that will intensify if the New Orleans Hornets do indeed match their offer sheet for shooting guard Eric Gordon.

As for the Beverley news, it comes via Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports, who says Chicago is busy working out the former second-round pick -- Beverley was taken with the No. 42 overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2009 NBA Draft.

EuroCup MVP Patrick Beverley is working out for Chicago in mini-camp, a candidate to fill a Bulls guard spot off bench, source tells Y!

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 12, 2012

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Bulls Trade Rumors: Luke Ridnour Could Be Return For Kyle Korver, According To Report

The Chicago Bulls are still waiting on the Houston Rockets to sign Omer Asik to an offer sheet, and they have yet to announce their deal with Kirk Hinrich, but they've been staying busy in the interim of the 2012 NBA Free Agency period. The team is "likely" going to deal Kyle Korver to the Minnesota Timberwolves, according to a report from Michael Cunningham of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Sunday is the deadline for the team to pick up its $5 million option on Korver, which is is an event that seems contingent on finding a trade partner.

The rumored deal with the Timberwolves brings up the issue of what the Bulls might get in return, and K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune says the target is ultimately unclear, but he cites a league source that says the Bulls have asked about veteran point guard Luke Ridnour:

One league source said the Bulls inquired about Luke Ridnour, who would seem to duplicate Hinrich and also add another year of salary. However, Ridnour's $4.32 million salary expires in 2014 at a time when the Bulls could make major changes with Hinrich's and Luol Deng's deals ending and the amnesty provision likely being used on Carlos Boozer.

Ridnour is a proven commodity that could help Hinrich steer the offense while Derrick Rose recovers, as the 31-year-old has posted solid numbers over the last three seasons, highlighted by a 17.7 PER and 57.0 TS% with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2009-10.

Omer Asik Offer Sheet: Rockets Careful On Timing Of Offer, Bulls Still Expected To Match

Although 2012 NBA Free Agency is underway, the Houston Rockets have yet to sign Chicago Bulls restricted free agent center Omer Asik to the three-year, $25.1 million offer sheet that has been floating around in the rumor mill for over a week. That doesn't mean the Rockets are getting cold feet on their "poison pill" deal that will reportedly be back-loaded with a $14.9 million salary in the final year of the offer. Houston is finalizing their offer sheets for both Asik and Jeremy Lin, and the signings remain on course, but it's all about timing at this point, according to a report from Marc Stein of ESPN.

Rockets sorting out timing on finalizing offer sheets w/Asik and Lin but signings remain on course. "Of course," says source close to talks

— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 12, 2012

The team is still waiting for all players to pass their physicals from the recent sign-and-trade with the New York Knicks that sent Marcus Camby to New York in exchange for Toney Douglas, Josh Harrellson, Jerome Jordan, second-round picks in 2014 and 2015, and cash. As noted by Ken Berger of CBS Sports, Harrellson and Jordan can both be waived thanks to their non-guaranteed contracts, so that could be another domino waiting to fall.

As for news on the Bulls' end of things, K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune noted that Chicago is likely to match the Rockets' offer sheet within the three-day matching window and thus keep Asik on the team, as he stated that "[m]ultiple league sources are under the impression the Bulls will match."

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NBA Free Agency News 2012: Trail Blazers, Mavericks, New York Teams Make Moves

Despite what it's seemed like this offseason, not every night of the NBA free agency period can feature multiple franchise-altering moves. But there were some important— if not decidedly minor— moves made on Wednesday. Here they are, with rumors excluded:

• The Brooklyn Nets signed center Brook Lopez to a max contract worth $61 million over four years. The Nets needed to sign Lopez in order to keep a potential Dwight Howard trade alive; if Lopez had signed an offer sheet with another team, the Nets would've been banned from trading him for one year if they matched the offer. By signing him outright, they are eligible to trade him starting this December.
• The Nets also officially signed Russian Mirza Teletovic to the taxpayer mid-level exception for three years and $9.7 million. Teletovic is more or less only a three-point shooter, but he is deadly from long range.
• The Portland Trail Blazers agreed to a one-year contract with power forward J.J. Hickson, who the team picked up late last season. Terms of the deal have not yet been released. In 19 games for Portland, he averaged 15 points and eight rebounds on 54% shooting.
• Portland also officially inked 2009 first round pick Victor Claver. Claver is coming over from Spain, and signed a three-year deal worth a total of $4 million.
• The Dallas Mavericks traded center Ian Mahinmi to the Indiana Pacers for point guard Darren Collison and wing player Dahntay Jones. Collison's score-first style never really meshed in Indiana, but he may take over the starting gig for the Mavs.
• The Mavs also used the amnesty clause on center Brendan Haywood, who had over $26 million left on the final three years of his deal.
• Dallas was not done on Wednesday night, as they replaced Haywood with Chris Kaman. Kaman's deal is for one year, though terms have yet to be announced. Kaman was teammates with Dirk Nowitzki on the German national team in 2008.
• The New York Knicks signed Argentine point guard Pablo Prigioni for what is believed to be the rookie minimum. Prigioni is 35-years-old and has spent the last nine years playing in Spain. He's expected to be the Knicks third point guard, after Jeremy Lin and Jason Kidd.
• The Golden State Warriors acquired Jarrett Jack in the three-team trade with the Philadelphia Sixers that sent ex-Warrior Dorrell Wright to Philly. The Hornets acquired Euro prospect Edin Bavcic, more importantly moved Jack's $5.4 million salary off the books.

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NBA Free Agency 2012: Indiana Pacers Readying To Offer Gerald Green 3-Year Contract

Brooklyn Nets forward Gerald Green is expected to be on his way out of New York, as his explosion back into the NBA likely drove his price too far above what the maxed-out Nets are able to pay a mere rotation player. That will make him a valuable commodity on the open market, and Wednesday brought word that the Indiana Pacers are preparing to offer the swingman a three-year contract worth a total of $10 million.

Pacers r expected to offer Gerald Green a 3-yr, $10 million contract

— Mike Wells (@MikeWellsNBA) July 12, 2012

The Bulls met with Green over the weekend, but it doesn't appear as if Chicago made an offer, or at least not a serious one. But as a former first round pick who had a scorching hot month to end the 2011-2012 season, it's highly unlikely that the budget conscious Bulls will be able to find a way to make it work.

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John Calipari Believes Derrick Rose Will Return To Form

Derrick Rose will have all eyes on him in the 2012-13 NBA season as he attempts to come back from an ACL injury that knocked him out of the playoffs at the most inopportune time for the Chicago Bulls. There are many wondering whether the former MVP will be able to return to form.

According to ESPN.com, Rose has at least one person on his side. His former coach, John Calipari.

"I think that you're going to see a player, you'll be amazed when he comes back," Kentucky coach John Calipari told ESPN 1000's "Carmen, Jurko & Harry" show on Wednesday. "(Rose's) skill set will be even better. I think his shooting will be even better because he only knows one thing. He almost has a fear, an anxiety about not being good enough. He's tougher on himself than anyone around him. I used to tell him 'you're too hard on yourself, man. You're going to get to the NBA, there's too many games. You can't on yourself like this. You gotta let it go. You gotta go on to the next game.'"

Bulls fans would certainly welcome a Derrick Rose that was even better than shooting. Only time will tell.

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Kyle Korver Rumors: Korver "Likely" Being Traded To Minnesota, According To Report

The Kyle Korver saga may soon be meeting its end. According to Michael Cunningham of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Korver is "likely" headed to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a trade.

Source says #Hawks had interest in #Bulls F Kyle Korver but he's likely headed to Minnesota in trade

— Michael Cunningham (@ajchawks) July 11, 2012

The mechanizations of such a trade would be tricky, as the Timberwolves are looking to sign Nicolas Batum to a near-max offer sheet and have already verbally agreed to sign ex-Portland Trail Blazers star Brandon Roy. The Bulls have a $5 million option on Korver, which they are seemingly inclined to not pick up in order to stay under the NBA's luxury tax line.

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Kyle Korver Trade Rumors: Atlanta, Minnesota Potential Suitors For Korver

The Chicago Bulls have already released both C.J. Watson and Ronnie Brewer, and now, according to Neil Hayes of the Chicago Sun-Times, the Bulls are engaged in trade talks that could send Kyle Korver packing. Per Hayes, the Bulls have not yet ruled out picking up Korver's $5 million option, but are exploring sign-and-trade possibilities. Two teams reportedly interested in the Bulls sharpshooter are the Minnesota Timberwolves and Atlanta Hawks.

The Bulls, though, do have a bit of a time before they need to make a decision on Korver's future. The team has until Sunday to pick up Korver's option, and will presumably be working the phones between now and then. The Bulls front office has been forced to decimate its vaunted depth in order to keep the franchise under the NBA's luxury tax line.

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Bulls Free Agency 2012: C.J. Watson Says Goodbye To Chicago

The Chicago Bulls have decided to let go of C.J. Watson, leaving a hole at point guard while Derrick Rose recovers from a knee injury.