Bulls trade rumors: Richard Hamilton available to avoid repeater-tax

The latest development for the Chicago Bulls on the trade front is that there is now a willingness to trade Richard Hamilton if an opportunity to dodge the repeater-tax presents itself, via Ken Berger of CBS Sports.

Why pay the tax and burn a year on the clock that begins ticking this season toward massive repeater-tax penalties for a less-than-championship season? For that reason, sources say the Bulls are open to moving Rip Hamilton in a deal that makes sense and saves them a year on the repeater-tax rolls.

Hamilton has not been linked to any potential deals. He is currently averaging 10.7 points per game, the second lowest average of his career, while shooting 43.5 percent from the field and 34.1 percent from deep. Rip will be making $5 million for the 2012-2013 NBA season, and has a team option worth another $5 million for 2013-2014.

BLOG a BULL: Reaction to Kirk Hinrich returning and Derrick Rose practicing

In other news, Derrick Rose continues his road to recovery, and participated in 5-on-5 drills via ESPN's Jon Greenberg.

"He did what everyone else did," Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said of Rose on Monday. "Just a normal practice."

"He was able to get out there, it was good," Hinrich said. "I'm sure it was helpful for him to give him a good gauge of where he's at."

The Bulls play the New Orleans Hornets Tuesday to begin the second half of the season.