The Bulls need to take a now-or-never approach to their series against the Cavs for several reasons, David Haugh of The Chicago Tribune writes. Swingman Jimmy Butler will become a restricted free agent this summer if Chicago tenders him a qualifying offer of $4,433,683. Derrick Rose‘s health is always a question mark. Pau Gasol, as Haugh notes, turns 35 in July. Joakim Noah, Haugh adds, faces an uncertain summer with one year left on his contract and lingering knee issues make giving him a long-term deal a questionable investment. What’s more, there’s a strong possibility that Tom Thibodeau, as Haugh points out, will be coaching elsewhere next season. It’s been rumored that Thibodeau will be fired after this season.
There’s more from the basketball world:
- Willie Green, who is set for unrestricted free agency in July, is interested in re-signing with the Magic, Ken Hornack of Fox Sports Florida writes. Green, who has played 12 seasons in the league, averaged 5.9 points per game and played well in a limited role despite riding the bench until mid-January. “I’m definitely open to being back here in Orlando,” Green said. “I like the foundation that the team has. “I like our young fellas, and I think I can help them on and off the floor. So if that possibility is open, then I’m definitely open to exploring it.”
- Myles Turner agrees with the pundits who compare him to LaMarcus Aldridge and Anthony Davis but adds that he’s focused on blocking out speculation about where he will get picked, as the big man says in an interview with Raul Barrigon of HoopsHype. Turner is the No. 10 prospect in the Insider-only rankings that Chad Ford of ESPN.com compiles, while Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress has him at No. 11.Hoops Rumors’ Eddie Scarito recently profiled Turner, the former Texas center.