Derrick Rose returned to the contact portions of practice on Monday and is on track for his four-to-six week recovery from a knee injury.

"He was aggressive," Tom Thibodeau said. "He was a little winded, but we expected that. Overall, I thought it was good. He said he feels good physically. The big thing is going to be the wind and conditioning. He’s been out a long time."

The goal is for Rose to log as many regular-season games as possible with the Chicago Bulls to build chemistry and conditioning.

Derrick Rose remains confident he will return to the Chicago Bulls' lineup this season.

Rose expects to be cleared for contact either next week or next. Rose is doing everything with the Bulls except taking contact.

"Oh yeah, I’m not worried about that," Rose said. "I’m feeling good. I’m trying to do all the right things. Put all the positives in the bag and just try to go with it. It’s something that I’ve been doing for a long time. Rehab is definitely a grind. But I’m getting used to it."

Rose had a small piece of his right meniscus removed on Feb. 27. The Bulls estimated his return to action at four to six weeks. Friday marks four weeks since the surgery.

"Should be sometime this week or next week," Rose said when asked about taking contact. "Gotta talk to (Director of Sports Performance) Jen (Swanson) and go from there."

Jimmy Butler is likely to return to the Chicago Bulls' lineup on Monday against the Charlotte Hornets.

Butler has missed the past 11 games due to a left elbow injury. The Bulls were 5-6 during the stretch.

"He feels good," Tom Thibodeau said. "We’ll see when he warms up tonight. But it looks like it could be a go."

Thibodeau said Butler, who leads the NBA in minutes per game, wouldn't be restricted upon his return. Tony Snell would move into a reserve role.

Derrick Rose participated in non-contact portions of the Chicago Bulls' practice on Tuesday.

Tom Thibodeau said Rose is "maybe even slightly ahead" of his four to six week timeline that began on Feb. 27 when he had knee surgery.

“It’s the next phase of his rehab,” Thibodeau said of Rose participating in parts of practice. “He still has to obviously strengthen the knee. But it’s a good step for him.”

The Bulls expected Rose to return this season when he underwent his surgery.

Derrick Rose spoke to the media on Monday for the first time since his knee surgery on Feb. 27.

Rose expects to return but stopped short of promising it.

"I think so, that's the plan," Rose said. "Whenever I feel right, that's when I'm going to step back."

The Chicago Bulls previously announced an estimate that Rose would be back within four to six weeks.

"I'm not even thinking about that right now," he said when pressed for a firm commitment for his return. "I'm thinking about getting the most out of every day."

Rose said he was upset at first, then relieved when he realized the injury wasn't as severe as his previous two.

"Knowing I had the ACL injury, whenever you have a knee injury after that, you're thinking it's always an ACL," he said. "Me thinking that and knowing it wasn't, it was a sign of a little relief."

The Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, Toronto Raptors, San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls have registered interest in JaVale McGee.

McGee and the Boston Celtics were unable to close a deal on a contract on Thursday.

McGee is a talented two-way center that has struggled staying healthy and with maturity issues.

Jimmy Butler could miss three to four weeks with his elbow sprain, but he won't need surgery.

The Chicago Bulls are already without Derrick Rose for several weeks following knee surgery.

Butler will be a restricted free agent in the offseason.

Jimmy Butler will undergo an MRI on his hyperextended left elbow on Monday.

Butler suffered the injury during the Chicago Bulls' loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.