Deng re-signs with Bulls and retires
The Bulls pulled off an unexpected transaction Thursday, signing longtime forward Luol Deng so he could officially retire as a member of the Bulls.
Deng spent 10 seasons with the Bulls from 2004-14. He ranks fourth on the team's all-time scoring list with 10,286, trailing only Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Bob Love. Deng ranks fifth in both minutes played and steals.
"That was a really cool thing that the Reinsdorfs did and the Chicago Bulls did for him," coach Jim Boylen said before Thursday's game. "And it's really cool that he wanted to have it that way."
Deng slid in and out of the Bulls' offices pretty quickly, posing for some photos along the way. He did not speak to reporters. The Bulls plan to honor him later this season at an unspecified home game.
After being traded to Cleveland during the 2013-14 season, Deng also played for Miami, the Lakers and Minnesota.
Dunn doesn't complain:
The writing had been on the wall since the end of last season about a changing of Bulls points guards. Kris Dunn said he had no complaints about coming off the bench to start the regular season behind newcomer Tomas Satoransky.
"I just appreciate coach (Jim Boylen) talking to me and being straightforward and being truthful to me," Dunn said Thursday. "I'm going to do my job and do what's best for the team.
"I feel I'm in a great spot. I love what the coaching staff is doing with me and the team. We have a great group of guys. We're going to play hard every game and hopefully make that playoff push."
The rotation during the last two preseason games had Dunn playing with rookie Coby White on the second unit and that figures to hold into the regular season.
"Before I could even get out the words, 'Kris, I'm going to bring you off the bench to start the season,' he had already said, 'Coach, I'm going to do whatever you need me to do and I'm ready for what you want me to do,'" Boylen said.
"I've always said he has great heart for the team. He's always been very coachable, he accepts criticism, he owns his mistakes, his response is all about the team and what we're trying to build. His role acceptance is off the charts."
Rudy T pays visit:
Rudy Tomjanovich, longtime coach of the Houston Rockets, was at the Advocate Center on Thursday to visit with Bulls coach Jim Boylen. Tomjanovich gave Boylen his first NBA job in 1992 and Boylen stayed in Houston for 12 seasons, including the 1994 and '95 championships.
"He's going to be here with us for six days," Boylen said. "Just thankful to have him here. He's been a big part of my career. A guy I learned a ton from. He's going to spend these five, six days with our staff, be kind of a mentor to all of us, and it's really a good thing for us."