The Bulls are expected to allow point guard C.J. Watson to become a free agent this summer, as Rusty Simmons of the San Francisco Chronicle writes. Simmons indicates that the Bulls will decline a team option, but the Bulls don't possess an option. Instead, Watson's $3.2MM salary for the final season of his contract next year is not guaranteed if he's off the Bulls roster by July 10. So, it appears the Bulls will waive him before that deadline.
The Bulls will face an uphill battle next season as they find themselves without star point guard Derrick Rose for an indefinite period of time thanks to his torn ACL. Beyond Rose's injury, the Bulls could be without Luol Deng if he elects to undergo wrist surgery after playing in the London Olympic Games. The Bulls will face a series of decisions this summer as they hope to remain one of the top eight teams in the Eastern Conference after falling to the Sixers in the first round of the playoffs this spring. ESPNChicago.com's Nick Friedell has the latest news and notes out of Chicago…
The latest news and notes from around the NBA on Sunday night:
- John Reid of the Times-Picayune writes that new Hornets owner Tom Benson's impact is already being felt, as Saints fans are opting to buy season tickets.
- Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge, currently recovering from hip surgery that has his Team USA availability in jeopardy, tweets that he's fine after being hospitalized earlier this week for a blood virus.
- Fox Sports Ohio's Sam Amico tweets that in addition to Steve Nash and Jason Kidd (both of whom the Bulls are said to be targeting), Nick Young and Carlos Delfino could be on Chicago's radar as well.
- Newsday's Al Iannazzone reports that Dwyane Wade expects Knicks center Tyson Chandler to start for the U.S. Olympic team this summer. Dwight Howard had been expected to start until back surgery ended his hopes of playing in London.
Given Derrick Rose's uncertain short term future as one of the league's premier point guards, the Bulls are reportedly planning on making a strong push for two quick fix replacements: Steve Nash and Jason Kidd, according to CSNChicago.com's Aggrey Sam.
French guard Nando De Colo is ready to join the Spurs as his contract with Spanish team Valencia BC is up at the end of the month, according to a report from Encestando passed along by Tim Griffin of the San Antonio Express-News. The 25-year-old combo guard was the taken by the Spurs with the 53rd pick in the 2009 draft and will play for the French team with current Spurs Tony Parker and Boris Diaw next month. More links from around the web..
The NBA draft lottery brought good fortune to the Hornets organization, robbed the Bobcats of a chance to quickly advance in the rebuilding process and saw teams like the Nets and the Jazz miss out on securing lottery picks. The Cavs will have to use the fourth pick in the draft to build around Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson and the Warriors should simply be happy they were able to keep their spot at seventh. Beyond the Hornets, count the Trail Blazers as the second biggest winner Wednesday night as Portland will make two selections among the first 11 picks.
As the talking heads put together their latest mock drafts, let's take a look around the NBA to catch up on the the news and rumors making headlines as Hurricanes and Hand Grenades flow freely on Bourbon St…
Neither of L.A.'s two teams has played a game in a week's time, but that hasn't stopped the news from coming out of the City of Angels, as the Lakers and Clippers plot their offseason plans.
- Dwight Jaynes of CSNNW.com observes that Rich Cho, the last GM candidate who traveled abroad to speak with Blazers owner Paul Allen about the position, as Clippers GM Neil Olshey has reportedly done, wound up getting the job.
- We passed along today that Sam Smith of Bulls.com hears Pau Gasol would be interested in playing for the Bulls, but Kyler doesn't think Chicago would take on Gasol's contract, which has two seasons and close to $38.3MM left on it (Twitter link).
- Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld would be "more than shocked" if the Lakers fire coach Mike Brown, despite the team's first-round struggles and second-round ouster in the playoffs (Twitter link).
- Earlier this evening I examined the upcoming free agency of Lakers backup big man Jordan Hill.
Bulls.com scribe Sam Smith has a new column up today, which includes plenty of news, notes, and rumors from around the NBA. Let's dive in….
- Brooklyn is still considered the likeliest destination for Dwight Howard, though teams like the Rockets, Trail Blazers, and Warriors may be willing to risk renting D12 for a year. The Magic are expected to make another run at retaining Howard once the team has a new GM in place.
- Smith hears from "Lakers insiders" that Pau Gasol would be interested in playing for the Bulls. He adds that Gasol and Kobe Bryant were "constantly at odds" in Los Angeles this season.
- If the Bulls and Lakers were to discuss a Gasol deal, Luol Deng would have to be the centerpiece rather than Carlos Boozer, says Smith.
- NBA general managers previously rejected a rule that would allow players to touch the ball on the rim, but that idea could be revisited now that the league has introduced a new competition comittee.
- Kyle Lowry appears on his way out of Houston, according to Smith, who says the Rockets were "quietly shopping" the point guard before his injury this season. The Rockets would like to re-sign Goran Dragic, who isn't interested in returning as a backup.
Let's catch up on the latest news and happenings from around the NBA…
- NewsOk.com's Berry Tramel writes about how the Spurs and Thunder are so similar in their foundation.
- In a tweet, NBA.com's Scott Howard-Cooper says the Warriors will be conducting a workout on Monday. Some players expected to participate are Tony Wroten, Draymond Green, Royce White, and others. The Warriors currently hold the 30th pick from their trade deadline deal to acquire Richard Jefferson.
- Danny Green is enjoying a dream season with the Spurs after once wondering if he'd ever make it in the NBA, writes Al Iannazzone of Newsday. The former North Carolina star has gone from being cut by the Cavaliers after his rookie season to starting at shooting guard for the Spurs.
- Matt Steinmetz of CSNBayArea.com wonders what the Warriors will do next if assistant head coach Michael Malone leaves the franchise for a head coaching job this offseason. Malone has been a major part of head coach Mark Jackson's coaching staff as the former point guard has only 66 games of coaching experience to draw from as he enters his second season guiding the Warriors.
- The Bulls are exploring leaving their suburban practice facility, the Berto Center, in favor of a downtown location to cut down on commuting before home games, reports K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune. A move downtown would save the Bulls money as they currently provide players free access to a hotel room prior to home games so that they can avoid rush hour traffic.
- Matt Moore of CBSSports.com wonders where the Sixers go from here now that they've been eliminated from by the playoffs by the Celtics. The team will continue to look for a star player to add to the roster while facing many decisions about its current roster heading into next season.
- USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo is ready to field the most competitive roster for the 2012 Summer Olympics, writes Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe. While most of the players from the 2008 squad should be back on this year's roster, the team will be without Dwight Howard as he is currently rehabbing from back surgery in Los Angeles.
Friday afternoon's odds and ends:
- Donatas Motiejunas, Houston's 20th overall pick in 2011, spoke to Jakub Wojczynski of Przeglad Sportowy about his future and his plan to join the Rockets. While Motiejunas cautioned that it's "not 100%" he'll be in the NBA next season, he seems like a good bet to sign this summer.
- Doc Rivers and the Celtics confirmed today that Avery Bradley will undergo shoulder surgery and miss the rest of the playoffs (Twitter link).
- Hornets coach Monty Williams tells John Reid of the New Orleans Times Picayune that he doesn't think this draft class is as deep as advertised. "I don’t think you’re going to find a [Manu] Ginobili at 52," Williams said. "The last few weeks I’ve had a chance to look at all these young guys on tape and I’m not jaded by the hoopla as everybody else is. I think there are good players, but I don’t see this deep draft."
- One GM told ESPN.com's Chad Ford (Insider link) that he'd have "no concerns" drafting Perry Jones III in the top five.
- Ken Berger of CBSSports.com discusses trade candidates Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol in his "Friday 5" feature.
- Channing Frye's availability for the start of next season is in doubt as the Suns forward rehabs a shoulder injury, says Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic.
- Sam Smith fields plenty of Bulls questions in his latest mailbag for Bulls.com.