Bulls unlikely to land Granger
The Bulls are prepared to sign a player for the remainder of the season in the next week. The question is whether they can reach an agreement with a player who suits their needs.
Former Indiana all-star Danny Granger officially hit the market Wednesday, getting his release from Philadelphia. He figures to clear waivers Friday. The early line on a potential landing spot has the Los Angeles Clippers a favorite, with San Antonio running second.
Granger reportedly is looking for a chance to play meaningful minutes on a championship contender. The Bulls could offer him Tony Snell's spot as the third wing, but they can't match the Clippers or Spurs for title aspirations.
The Clippers are starting Matt Barnes at small forward, and J.J. Redick is currently out with a bulging disk, so the Clips could make sense for Granger. He might not see late-game minutes in San Antonio if Kawhi Leonard, Manu Ginóbili, Danny Green and Marco Belinelli are all healthy.
A buyout for Jimmer Fredette in Sacramento has been widely reported, it but did not become official Wednesday. He could potentially fill a need for the Bulls as a long-range shooter. Even though he rarely played heavy minutes for the Kings, Fredette shot 49.3 percent (36-for-73) from 3-point land this season.
Another available wing is former Bull Ronnie Brewer, waived by Houston last week. Don't expect the Bulls to show interest in an older ex-Bull, Metta World Peace, who was released by New York.
This has been a stellar year for late-season player availability. Memphis claimed former Knicks point guard Beno Udrih off waivers Wednesday. Milwaukee is expected to release Caron Butler, who is probably ticketed for Miami. New York is planning to add Shannon Brown and Earl Clark soon. The Clippers already signed Glen Davis.
Still no word on a buyout agreement between Charlotte and ex-Bulls shooting guard Ben Gordon. The Bulls are unlikely to have interest in Gordon if he does become available.
Rose running on his own:
Coach Tom Thibodeau offered a Derrick Rose rehab update before Wednesday's game. Rose is now running on his own, after graduating from the anti-gravity treadmill.
“(It's) basically the same — doing a little bit more,” Thibodeau said. “He's moving along, but nowhere close to practice. He's doing some running. So he's off the treadmill. Still on it at times, but his full weight now and doing lateral slides and things like that. But nowhere near even practicing or anything like that.”
Thibodeau reiterated that the Bulls consider Rose out for the season.
Jackson recalls coach Thibodeau:
Golden State coach Mark Johnson was a player in New York and Houston when Tom Thibodeau was an assistant coach on Jeff Van Gundy's staff.
“Very hard worker, dedicated,” Jackson said. “I called him 'Deacon,' because he was Jeff Van Gundy's deacon. Jeff was the head pastor. You know he was going to be a very good coach. He worked his tail off and was committed to his craft.”