Did Pistons’ Hamilton pass on chance to join Bulls?

MILWAUKEE — The biggest buzz around the NBA the past two days was the alleged player boycott of a shootaround by certain members of the Detroit Pistons on Friday.

The ordeal comes with a question that has NBA observers baffled: Why did veteran guard Richard Hamilton pass on a chance to take a contract buyout via a trade to Cleveland on Thursday?

The Bulls are waiting for those types of players to come available and they would have been a leading candidate to sign Hamilton.

Hamilton has been in the doghouse for weeks, having played in just one game since Jan. 10. He’s been accused, in various reports, of orchestrating a practice boycott and berating coach John Kuester in the locker room.

The trade to Cleveland would have been a chance to leave it all behind. The Pistons were reportedly willing to include a first-round draft pick to give Hamilton a new home.

The problem is his oversized contract. Hamilton, 33, is owed $25 million over the next two seasons. Yahoo.com suggested the Cavaliers were willing to set him loose with an $18 million buyout, but the offer was rejected.

A buyout from the Pistons is still conceivable, but the odds may be slim. Players need to be released by March 1 in order to be eligible for the playoffs with a new team.

The Pistons used just six players in Friday’s loss at Philadelphia, ex-Bulls guard Ben Gordon among them.

The extent of the alleged boycott is still in debate. Hamilton and Chris Wilcox were fined for missing the shootaround, while Austin Daye and Rodney Stuckey drew fines for being late.

Tayshaun Prince, Tracy McGrady and Ben Wallace weren’t there either but were excused, according to the team. Wallace was away from the team Saturday due to the death of his brother.

Skiles sees threat:

Bucks coach Scott Skiles offered strong praise for the Bulls before Saturday’s game, saying, “They’re a legitimate threat in the Eastern Conference.”

Skiles, who coached the Bulls from 2003-07, provided some specific strengths he sees in his former team.

“Derrick Rose has become a legitimate top player in the league,” Skiles said. “He can have an off-night — I guess I would call 9-for-24 (vs. Miami) an off night — but still make all the big plays at the end of the game. He’s become a very good finisher at the end of games.

“(Luol) Deng’s quietly had a great year. Joakim (Noah’s) back, the addition of (Carlos) Boozer, their defense has been much better this year. They have a very well-rounded team.”

Jazz on the move:

Kyle Korver on his reaction to former Utah Jazz teammate Deron Williams getting traded to New Jersey:

“I don’t think anyone would have thought at the beginning of the year that Deron and coach (Jerry) Sloan would be gone by the all-star break,” Korver said.

“There are a lot of great things about the NBA. Stability in one location is not one of them.”