March 2014 Chicago Bulls Wiretap

Derrick Rose Acknowledges Rift Between His Camp, Bulls; Jerry Reinsdorf Refutes Report

Aug 1, 2014 12:34 AM

Jerry Reinsdorf issued a statement on Thursday to address a Sun-Times story about issues in the Chicago Bulls' relationship with Derrick Rose's camp.

“I am confounded by the irresponsible report in the Chicago Sun-Times suggesting there is anything approaching discord or confusion between the Bulls executive office, coaching staff, and Derrick Rose or any other Bulls player,” Reinsdorf said. “To the contrary, I can remember no time when the organization has been any more focused, optimistic, and cohesive. I’ve got to assume suggestions otherwise are intended to undermine the goals and objectives, spirit, and reputation of the Chicago Bulls. I am deeply disappointed that unnamed sources and totally inaccurate statements and assumptions can be used to foment nonexistent friction. The report is totally without basis or fact. It is pure malicious fiction.”

In the Sun-Times story, Rose acknowledged a growing rift between his camp and the Bulls' organization. The report also cited sources about the Bulls' displeasure with Rose's lack of participation in the recruitment of Carmelo Anthony, as well as Rose's camp possibly leaking an ESPN story on his involvement.

“I know it’s been there,’’ Rose said of tension between the Bulls and his camp, according to the report. “I heard there were some upset people.

“I’m happy I didn’t personally see it. I don’t want to see that. I kind of wonder where it was coming from because it seemed like whenever I was around, everything was all right. It bothered me because when I wasn’t around, I would hear from certain people that everything wasn’t all right.’’

Multiple sources told the Sun-Times that tension was mounting because Rose allowed his camp to take shots at the franchise

Rose also praised the Bulls' addition of Pau Gasol.

“[Gasol is] someone that I knew I could play with,’’ Rose said. “You think about Pau, him now being in the East, what he’ll be able to achieve with the way we play, the way we dump the ball in the post a lot. It could be great.’’

Rose's agent, B.J. Armstrong, also commented about the apparent tension.

“No one does interviews," Armstrong said. "No one talks. Derrick speaks to you [media] guys, and that’s it. There’s nothing to discuss. If there is something going on, there’s two people: You can get it from [chairman] Jerry Reinsdorf or you can get it from Derrick Rose. There’s nothing else to talk about.’

“You’re talking about rumors. I see Jerry 50 times a year. If I ask Jerry Reinsdorf right now how the relationship is, that’s all I care about.’’

Joe Cowley/Chicago Sun-Times

Tags: Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Wolves Narrow Kevin Love Trade Talks Down To Cavaliers

Jul 31, 2014 1:08 PM

The Minnesota Timberwolves are currently engaged in serious Kevin Love talks with only the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Golden State Warriors and Chicago Bulls have previously been in touch with the Wolves on a trade, but their respective offers aren't as competitive.

The Bulls are pessimistic about their chances and aren't inclined to significantly alter the construction of their team.

Andrew Wiggins is not eligible to be dealt until Aug. 23 after signing his rookie contract last week, but numerous league insiders expect a trade to be a matter of when instead of if.

Marc Stein, Brian Windhorst/ESPN

Tags: Kevin Love, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Bulls Not Aggressively Pursuing Kevin Love Deal, Have Made No Formal Offers

Jul 30, 2014 2:42 PM

Sources continue to indicate that the Chicago Bulls are not aggressively pursuing a trade for Kevin Love and have made no formal offers.

The Bulls were rumored to have made an offer of Taj Gibson, Nikola Mirotic and Doug McDermott to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

McDermott is participating in Team USA's mini-camp for the second straight year.

This is a great experience," McDermott said. "Being a college guy last year, I don't think people knew who I was or that I was a shooter so I was getting a lot of open looks and I hit a lot of shots. This year, guys are a lot more physical with me. But I think I'm doing a better job of rebounding and defending and making reads off screens.

"Everyone is so good here and the game is so physical. I can learn a lot from all of them."

K.C. Johnson/Chicago Tribune

Tags: Kevin Love, Doug McDermott, Taj Gibson, Nikola Mirotic, Chicago Bulls, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Derrick Rose Wanted To Prove People Wrong 'Too Bad' In First Return

Jul 29, 2014 1:00 AM

Derrick Rose admitted he wanted to prove doubters wrong in his return from a torn ACL last season. One month into the season, Rose then suffered a torn ligament in his right knee.

"Coming back last season, of course I wanted to prove everybody wrong," Rose said. "I wanted it too, too bad. This time around, I just know that I've got to let the game come to me. Go out there and just play."

Rose is participating in Team USA's training camp in Las Vegas, which began on Monday.

"I've been preparing for this for a long time," he said. "It's probably big for everyone else because they haven't seen me. It's kind of weird. People are kind of like in awe to even see me run down the floor, like I'm handicapped or something.

"This is only the beginning of a long journey. But my confidence level is through the roof. I know how special I am as a player," he said. "And I know what I still can do."

K.C. Johnson/Chicago Tribune

Tags: Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls, NBA, NBA Injury

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Jimmy Butler Withdraws From USA Camp With Groin Injury

Jul 28, 2014 1:30 PM

Jimmy Butler has withdrawn from USA Basketball training camp with a slight groin injury.

Butler is entering his fourth NBA season with the Chicago Bulls and is now eligible for a contract extension.

Marc J. Spears/Yahoo! Sports

Tags: Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls, NBA, NBA Injury

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Thibodeau: USA Minicamp 'Next Step' In Rose's Rehab Process

Jul 28, 2014 10:53 AM

Derrick Rose is participating in USA Basketball's five-day minicamp in Las Vegas as he takes the next step in his rehab process.

Rose tore his right meniscus on a seemingly benign backcut last Nov. 21.

“This is the next step,” said Tom Thibodeau. “Derrick has handled every step to this point the right way. The last time he participated in USA Basketball, he followed that with his MVP season (in 2010-11). So we’re hoping he can use this time productively.”

Rose, who also tore his left ACL in the first game of the 2012 NBA playoffs, has appeared in just 50 games over the last three NBA seasons.

K.C. Johnson/Chicago Tribune

Tags: Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls, NBA, NBA Injury, National, National World Championships

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Carmelo Struggled To Choose Between Knicks, Bulls

Jul 25, 2014 1:10 PM

Carmelo Anthony ultimately decided between the New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls. Anthony added that he believes the Knicks aren't too far away from becoming a contender.

"I want to win. I don't care about the money," Anthony told ESPN.com. "I believe Phil (Jackson) will do what he has to do to take care of that."

"I don't think we're that far away," he added. "People use 'rebuilding' too loosely."

Anthony signed a five-year, $124 million deal to remain with the Knicks.

"It was overwhelming," Anthony said. "It was stressful in the final days, one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make."

Anthony said, though, it ultimately came down to New York and Chicago.

"I was flip-flopping," he admitted. "It was hard. It was Chicago, but then after I met with L.A., it was L.A. But it came back to Chicago -- and was pretty much always Chicago or New York. That's a situation where I could have walked in now to an opportunity to compete for the next however many years."

Jeff Goodman/ESPN

Tags: Carmelo Anthony, Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, NBA, NBA B-Ball IQ

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Cavaliers Remain In Lead For Kevin Love

Jul 25, 2014 12:25 PM

The Cleveland Cavaliers' offer for Kevin Love is presently higher on the Minnesota Timberwolves' wish list than any other team's. 

The Chicago Bulls are also interested in Love, while the Golden State Warriors remain involved. The Cavaliers have seemed most motivated to complete a trade, as the Warriors have held Klay Thompson out of talks and the Bulls initially pursued Carmelo Anthony in free agency.

The Cavaliers are offering Andrew Wiggins, though he now can't be traded before Aug. 23. 

Wolves' owner Glen Taylor is now believed to prefer Wiggins over Thompson.

Love initially had the Warriors and Bulls atop his wish list, but the arrival of LeBron James has put the Cavaliers on equal footing.

Marc Stein, Brian Windhorst/ESPN

Tags: Kevin Love, Andrew Wiggins, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Report: Bulls Offer Gibson, McDermott, Mirotic To Wolves For Kevin Love

Jul 23, 2014 11:08 AM

The Chicago Bulls have reportedly offered Taj Gibson, Doug McDermott and Nikola Mirotic to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Kevin Love.

The trade could not be completed until next month because McDermott and Mirotic just signed their rookie contracts.

The source contends that the Wolves believe this trade offer is better than the Cleveland Cavaliers' offer of Andrew Wiggins, Anthony Bennett and a No. 1 pick. But the Cavaliers could beat the offer by including a second future No. 1 pick.

The Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics remain interested in Love as well.

Chris Sheridan/Sheridan Hoops

Tags: Kevin Love, Doug McDermott, Nikola Mirotic, Taj Gibson, Chicago Bulls, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Bulls Enter Kevin Love Trade Talks

Jul 22, 2014 1:45 PM

The Chicago Bulls have entered the Kevin Love trade talks with a package offered to the Minnesota Timberwolves believed to be centered around Taj Gibson and Jimmy Butler.

The Bulls shelved their interest in Love while pursuing Carmelo Anthony.

The Bulls and Golden State Warriors were intially believed to be Love's preferred destinations, but he's now interested in the Cleveland Cavaliers following their signing of LeBron James.

The Cavaliers remain the favorites to trade for Love, offering Andrew Wiggins, Anthony Bennett and a future first round pick. The Warriors have remained determined not to trade Klay Thompson in a deal for Love.

Cleveland is increasingly optimistic that a deal will be accepted by the Wolves.

Marc Stein, Brian Windhorst/ESPN

Tags: Kevin Love, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, NBA Trade Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Bulls Sign Cameron Bairstow

K.C. Johnson/Chicago Tribune

Pau Gasol Prioritized Chance To Win Title In Picking Bulls

K.C. Johnson/Chicago Tribune

Aaron Brooks Close To Deal With Bulls

Marc Stein/ESPN

Bulls Sign Nikola Mirotic To Three-Year, $16.6M Deal

Brian Windhorst/ESPN

Lakers Win Bid For Carlos Boozer

Brian Windhorst/ESPN

Bulls Use Amnesty Provision On Carlos Boozer

Sam Smith/NBA.com

Bulls To Trade Anthony Randolph, Two 2nd Rounders To Magic To Clear Cap Space

Sam Amick/USA Today

Kirk Hinrich Agrees To Re-Sign With Bulls

K.C. Johnson/Chicago Tribune

Pau Gasol Finalizing Three-Year, $22M Deal With Bulls

Adrian Wojnarowski/Yahoo! Sports

Nikola Mirotic To Sign With Bulls On Three-Year, $17M+ Deal

RealGM Staff Report

Pau Gasol To Sign With Bulls, Boozer Most Likely To Be Amnestied

ESPN

Pau Gasol Working Toward Agreement With Bulls

Adrian Wojnarowski/Yahoo! Sports

Bulls, Spurs Most Likely To Acquire Pau Gasol

Marc Stein, Ramona Shelburne/ESPN

Bulls Interested In Dwyane Wade

Adrian Wojnarowski/Yahoo! Sports

Carmelo Anthony Not Expected To Make Decision On Friday

Marc J. Spears/Yahoo! Sports

Carmelo Reconsidering Bulls As Option

Mike McGraw/Chicago Daily Herald

Bulls Hope To Acquire Gasol In Sign-And-Trade For Boozer

K.C. Johnson/Chicago Tribune

Derrick Rose Starts Practice With Bulls' Summer League Team

K.C. Johnson/Chicago Tribune

Bulls, Thunder Considered Favorites For Pau Gasol

Adrian Wojnarowski/Yahoo! Sports

Report: Lakers In Three-Team Race For Carmelo With Knicks, Bulls

Bill Simmons/ESPN