HoopsHype.com Rumors

Rose wandered through the postgame locker room Wednesday night in Miami, offering support and condolences to teammates. He declined an interview request. But his teammates already are looking forward to playing with him next season. "He’s a game changer all by himself," Carlos Boozer said. "Takes the game over anytime he wants to. Makes plays for everybody, makes it easier for everybody. His presence alone will add a lot to our team. "The thing about our team is the three years we’ve been together, we’ haven’t been healthy in a playoff run yet. If we are, we could be scary." Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Carlos Boozer, Derrick Rose, Injuries 

Tim Bontemps: Carlos Boozer on what the addition of Derrick Rose will mean for Chicago next season: "Everything." Twitter @TimBontemps

Chicago Bulls, Carlos Boozer, Derrick Rose, Injuries 

A few minutes later, Chicago forward Carlos Boozer had finished complaining about a noncall inside when James dribbled into the Miami forecourt. Mohammed tried to grab James to prevent a transition basket. James extended an arm to create space and sent Mohammed tumbling to the floor. “I seen him hawking me down for a long time, and I seen him come with one of those club fouls, which was unnecessary,” James said. “I basically just tried to protect myself, stand my ground.” New York Times

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Carlos Boozer, Nazr Mohammed 

Israel Gutierrez: Derrick Rose coaching up Boozer before shootaround: "If they put Shane Battier on you... run his *ss over." Twitter @IzzyESPN

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Carlos Boozer, Derrick Rose, Shane Battier 

Alex Kennedy: Are the Bulls holding out hope that Derrick Rose can come back? "Absolutely," Carlos Boozer said. "He makes that big of a difference." Twitter @AlexKennedyNBA

Chicago Bulls, Carlos Boozer, Derrick Rose 

Chicago Bulls forward Carlos Boozer punched a referee in the groin in a celebratory fist pump gone awry in Dallas on Saturday. Ref Danny Crawford was just steps behind Boozer after he made a basket in the second quarter to give Chicago a two-point lead over the Mavericks. Toronto Sun

Chicago Bulls, Carlos Boozer 

Chris Broussard: I'm told Bulls definitely not moving Boozer & unlikely to do anything Twitter @Chris_Broussard

Chicago Bulls, Trade, Carlos Boozer 

Vincent Ellis: Mildly surprised when I just asked league guy most likely to be moved: Expected Smith, but he answered Carlos Boozer. #Bulls #Pistons Twitter @Vincent_Ellis56

Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons, Trade, Carlos Boozer 

Doug Smith: Yes, there has been chatter about Bargnani-Boozer around here but I’m not sure if it’s just people catching up the first one or what. But my information remains as it was a week or so ago, there is no interest in taking on either Boozer or his more-costly contract. Toronto Star

Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Carlos Boozer, Andrea Bargnani 

Of course, that might not happen if the Bulls make a move by Thursday's trade deadline. League sources said last week the Raptors were told the Carlos Boozer and Nate Robinson deal for Andrea Bargnani and John Lucas III was available whenever they wanted it. Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Carlos Boozer, Nate Robinson, John Lucas, Andrea Bargnani 

Stein: 25 percent. If the Raptors hadn't already acquired Rudy Gay, this figure would be a lot higher, because Chicago's interest in Andrea Bargnani has not waned ... and Toronto doesn't have a long list of teams willing to take Bargnani on. But the Raps, eager as they are to ship Bargnani out, have understandable concerns about the luxury-tax implications of having both Gay and Boozer on their payroll. And Chicago likewise doesn't have a long list of teams prepared to absorb Boozer's contract. So if there's no Boozer deal to Toronto, I'm not sure that I see one. ESPN.com

Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Carlos Boozer, Andrea Bargnani 

A source said nearly three weeks have passed since the Bulls have had any conversations about sending forward Carlos Boozer to Toronto in a deal for forward Andrea Bargnani. Yahoo! Sports

Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Carlos Boozer, Andrea Bargnani 

ESPN.com's Marc Stein first reported the talks, which a source told the Tribune were initiated by the Bulls and initially dismissed because of the Raptors' desire to land the Lakers' Pau Gasol. Though talks are not currently active, a source said the Raptors know the trade is available and could expand to include Nate Robinson and John Lucas III. Another source suggested it's unlikely the Raptors would take on Boozer's contract, which has $9.1 million more than Bargnani's over the next two seasons. Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Carlos Boozer, Nate Robinson, Andrea Bargnani, John Lucas III 

Despite the talks, there are no plans to use the amnesty provision on Boozer this summer. Boozer is having a strong season, but shedding his salary could improve the Bulls' long-term financial picture. Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Trade, Carlos Boozer 

Yes, the Bulls did ask the Raptors about Andrea Bargnani a couple of weeks ago or so. Yes, the Bulls wanted to see if Toronto had any interest in Carlos Boozer. No, there are “no active talks” between Chicago and Toronto today, according to a league source who’d know, which should tell you all you need to know about the Raptors interest in Boozer. Toronto Star

Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Carlos Boozer, Andrea Bargnani 

Carlos Boozer answered questions about the Bulls having preliminary discussions with Toronto about a trade that would send him to the Raptors for Andrea Bargnani and then struggled to keep up with energetic Denver forward Kenneth Faried, who had 21 points and 12 rebounds despite sitting out the fourth quarter. “Interesting,” Boozer said when told of the report, before adding: “That’s part of the business this time of year. I can’t worry about things that may or may not happen.” Chicago Sun-Times

Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Carlos Boozer, Andrea Bargnani 

The Chicago Bulls and Toronto Raptors have engaged in exploratory trade discussions on a deal that would swap the Bulls' Carlos Boozer for the Raptors' Andrea Bargnani, according to sources familiar with the discussions. Other players with smaller contracts would have to be added to the deal to make the salary-cap math work, should talks indeed progress to a more serious level, but sources told ESPN.com on Thursday that both teams have given consideration to the move. From Chicago's perspective, sources said, Bargnani's arrival could help address their glaring lack of 3-point shooting and brighten the overall look of its payroll, given that the Italian forward makes $5 million less than Boozer this season. Despite his well-chronicled defensive deficiencies, Bargnani would figure to be an effective pick-and-roll partner for Derrick Rose, once Rose makes his expected return from knee surgery after the All-Star break. ESPN.com

Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Carlos Boozer, Andrea Bargnani 

Marc Stein: Just going online: ESPN sources say Bulls & Raptors have had exploratory talks on potential trade featuring Carlos Boozer & Andrea Bargnani. Twitter @ESPNSteinLine

Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Carlos Boozer, Andrea Bargnani 

The biggest impediment to such a trade, sources said, is believed to be whether Toronto can realistically afford having both Rudy Gay and Boozer on its payroll beyond this season. The Raptors, fresh off acquiring Gay from Memphis last week, have been openly shopping Bargnani, who resumed the most disappointing season of his career Wednesday night after missing 26 games with an elbow injury. ESPN.com

Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Rudy Gay, Carlos Boozer, Andrea Bargnani 

The Bulls are trying hard not to anticipate — or even address — the imminent return of Derrick Rose. But Rose’s return is close enough — and the Bulls are playing well enough — that Carlos Boozer can’t contain himself. ‘‘When he’s ready, he’ll be out there with us, and . . . it’s going to be fun, man,’’ Boozer said. ‘‘Stay tuned.’’ Chicago Sun-Times

Chicago Bulls, Carlos Boozer, Derrick Rose, Injuries