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.’’

Chris Bosh was close to leaving the Miami Heat for the Houston Rockets before ultimately deciding to re-sign on a five-year, $118 million contract.

"It was close. I'm not going to lie," Bosh said on "The Zaslow and Joy Show" on FM 104.3 The Ticket in Miami. "It was close. It was a weird situation because we were waiting so long and I didn't know what was going on.

In this episode, host Daniel Leroux (@DannyLeroux) talks to Ian Levy (@HickoryHigh) about his new site Nylon Calculus (nyloncalculus.com), the offseason so far and what he is looking forward to for the 2014-15 season.

Leroux and Levy hit on various topics related to analytics as well as what the Cavs could look like with LeBron James and the balance of power in both conferences.

Click here to listen or download.

You can also click here to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes.

Metta World Peace will sign a $1.43 million contract on Thursday night with Sichuan of the Chinese Basketball Association, making him the league’s highest paid import player this season, sources told RealGM.

World Peace’s deal will be for one season, and he’ll search for a contract in the NBA once the Chinese season ends, sources said.

World Peace, 34, will be the most decorated NBA talent in China next season – a one-time champion, All-Star and Defensive Player of the Year in 15 mostly productive seasons. He had received a level of NBA interest before the overseas deal.

World Peace, formerly known as Ron Artest, had immense individual and team success in stops with the Indiana Pacers (2002-06) and Los Angeles Lakers (2009-13). He played in the Eastern Conference Finals in 2004, and the 6-foot-7 forward won an NBA title with the Lakers in 2010 when he filled the void of Trevor Ariza and made impact shots and defensive stands alongside Kobe Bryant.

After being released by the Lakers under the amnesty provision last summer, World Peace signed with the New York Knicks and averaged 4.8 points in 29 games in one year with his home team. World Peace went to high school in New York and played two collegiate seasons at St. John’s University.

World Peace averaged 13.8 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists over his NBA career with six different teams. He was the 19th overall draft selection of the Chicago Bulls in 1999.

The NBA has added its Twitter handle, @NBA, to the official game balls.

The NBA will implement the change next season.

The Washington Wizards have waived Melvin Ely.

Ely was acquired from the New Orleans Pelicans this offseason to help facilitate the Trevor Ariza to the Houston Rockets deal.

Ely spent most of the 13-14 season in the D-League before signing with the Pelicans in April to finish the campaign on a non-guaranteed contract.

The Golden State Warriors have waived Hilton Armstrong.

Armstrong was previously waived by the Warriors in December and later re-signed following a stint in the D-League.

Armstrong signed two 10-day contracts with the Warriors and then was signed for the remainder of the season.

Chris Bosh officially signed his new five-year contract with the Miami Heat several weeks after it was formally agreed upon.

Bosh's contract is worth $118.7 million over five seasons.

Bosh decided to remain with the Heat amid a four-year max contract offer from the Houston Rockets.

Will Barton's contract for 14-15 became fully guaranteed on Thursday, which puts the Portland Trail Blazers' roster at 15.

Barton, whom Neil Olshey selected with a second-round pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, will make roughy $915,000 next season.

"Will has improved as much as anyone on our roster as a player and a professional," Olshey told The Oregonian in an email. "Having the third year of his contract guaranteed is a validation of his efforts and his value to our organization."

Kevin Durant's endorsement contract with Nike expires this week.

Sources say Under Armour is preparing a robust offer to Durant. Under Armour is based in Durant's home state of Maryland.

"Nike has been a part of me ever since I was in high school and have been great since I've been in the league but I'm just going to let my team be the ones who handle that behind the scenes, I guess," Durant said. "When you look at stuff like that, it's great problems to have because people want you for what you know and do on the basketball court, the work you put in, so I'm going to continue to put my work in, let them focus on that on the other end, and we'll come together at some point."

Durant switched agents last June to become the first NBA client of Jay-Z's agency.