Boozer to Bulls talks shot down by Blazers GM
Portland general manager Kevin Pritchard poured cold water Friday over the little smoke left from what was the Carlos Boozer-to-the-Bulls, three-team trade rumor that espn.com started Thursday.
How’s this for synergy? ESPN The Magazine’s Chris Broussard shot down the story during a Sportscenter broadcast. Broussard quoted Pritchard as saying the deal is “not going to happen,” despite his team’s strong desire to bring to trade for Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich.
Hinrich reportedly was one of the prime players involved in the deal, going to Portland. Bulls forward Tyrus Thomas would have been traded to the Utah Jazz, with Boozer heading back to the Bulls.
The Jazz are desperate to dump Boozer’s $12.7 million salary. Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro didn’t sound Friday as if he was eager to see Hinrich leave.
Del Negro believes Hinrich will again be ameniable to the bench role he assumed last season. “Absolutely,’’ Del Negro said. “Not only as Derrick’s backup, but with the loss of Ben [Gordon], [Hinrich will be] playing more minutes and more involved.
“He made such a huge impact for us with his leadership on and off the court. He’s our best perimeter defender for sure, best defender overall, which is a huge factor. He has the versatility to help a young point guard develop. He also plays the two. We had him play the three a little bit last season due to our injuries. He guarded a lot of guys. He’s a big positive for us. I expect him to have a great year.’’
SUMMER CAMP UPDATE: Del Negro and his staff spent a second day Friday working out the team’s two top draft picks, forwards James Johnson and Taj Gibson, and the free agents here vying for a job.
“We have a spot available, so we’re looking for any guys stick out,’’ Del Negro said. “This is a real good time to get a good look at our rookies and get them [familiar] with the terminology and some of the [plays]. Try to get them to grasp that as soon as possible. Obviously the rookies are a big focal point for us.’’
Del Negro has been impressed with both Johnson and Gibson. Both have played power forward the first two days of camp. “[Johnson] has three guy skills the way he can handle the ball, make plays off the dribble,’’ Del Negro said. “He penetrated the lane and kicked the ball out for some nice easy jump shots. He’s made some real nice passes. He seems to have a real good feel for the game. His versatility makes him harder to guard.
“But his size and bulk dictate that he play a little more four. Taj is more at the four position; he comes from the weak side and can block shots. He has some length, some long arms.’’ Johnson said he has had “a lot thrown at him’’ the first two days. “But it’s going well,’’ he said. “I can score. Right now, I’m just driving, kicking, things like that. Just trying to focus on the plays and processing them.’’
INJURY UPDATE: John Salmons, expected to be the Bulls starting two guard next season, is on the mend from the groin injury he played with through late last season. “He’s feeling better,’’ Del Negro said. “He’s met with some doctors. It hasn’t been bothering him. He’s been working out a lot.’’
So, too is Luol Deng, whose season ended Feb. 28 due to a right tibia stress fracture. “He’s two days of full workouts then one day of shooting,’’ Del Negro said of Deng’s schedule.
“He’s been lifting a lot of weights. He’s had a very productive summer so far. Now it’s just time to monitor things, up his cardio and get him back to a level he’s comfortable with.’’
Information was used from the Chicago Sun-Times.