HoopsHype.com Rumors

C.J. Watson is considering several overseas offers. He has received a lot of interest from international teams because he has experience playing overseas. Prior to playing in the NBA, Watson had stints in Italy and Greece. The Turkish club Beşiktaş has expressed interest along with several Euroleague teams. Watson will only sign a deal that includes an NBA opt-out clause so that he can return to the Chicago Bulls when the lockout ends. HoopsWorld

Chicago Bulls, CJ Watson, Lockout 

Like most NBA players, Watson said he is considering the possibility of playing overseas if the lockout continues. "I just want to play basketball," Watson said. "Whether it's here or overseas, especially if there's no NBA. The only other option is overseas so that would probably be the best choice." Watson has had preliminary discussions with his agent, but said no talks with any specific teams have occurred up to this point. "I just told him to look at the possibilities and look at the options," Watson said. "If there's anything considerable, I guess we can talk about it. As far as right now, I think the lockout's going to end just like football did. It might be close to the season, but I think it will get fixed." ESPN.com

Chicago Bulls, CJ Watson, Lockout 

CJ Watson: A lot of colleagues signing overseas just might not be an nba season this year I don't kno we shall see wat the future holds Twitter

Chicago Bulls, CJ Watson, Lockout 

If the NBA lockout drags out as long as most league observers think it will and cuts into the start of the new season, Chicago Bulls players have discussed a potential alternative for training camp and beyond. "I think we'll probably work out in L.A. or Vegas because I can get a gym [in Las Vegas] and I think [Derrick] Rose can get a gym in L.A.," Bulls point guard C.J. Watson said during a promotional appearance Thursday night. "I think most of the players are always on the West Coast working out or training, so if we're all there we might as well work out and get it together." ESPN.com

Chicago Bulls, CJ Watson, Lockout 

"I've talked to a few players," he said. "I've talked to [Luol Deng]. I've talked to [Joakim Noah]. John Lucas [III] came to my basketball camp. I talk to Ronnie [Brewer] and Taj [Gibson] every now and then. I talk to pretty much everyone. I think everyone is just going their own way, staying in shape, and I think maybe, if the lockout continues 'til September, October [or beyond] we'll all get together and probably work out and do something together." ESPN.com

Chicago Bulls, CJ Watson, Lockout 

CJ Watson: Call me krazy but I still blieve it can b done Twitter

Chicago Bulls, CJ Watson 

Rose scored a playoff career-high 44 points. But he grew most animated when Watson, the master of the "Bench Mob,'' came off the floor after the Hawks needed a timeout to stop the Bulls' momentum. "I think C.J. is the key to the second squad,'' Rose said. "When he's aggressive it opens up everybody else on the court. I don't think he really knows that so I just try to encourage him to take shots and be aggressive because he's a great player.'' In the highlight of that flurry, Watson drove right down the lane in transition, hesitated and cupped the ball before making a fancy no-look pass to a trailing Taj Gibson for the layup. When Bulls' play-by-play man Chuck Swirsky referred to that move as "Magic-esque,'' on Saturday, Watson just smiled. "Yeah, it did add a little flair to the game,'' Watson said. "I already had in my head what I was going to do.'' Chicago Tribune

Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls, CJ Watson 

One day after teammate C.J. Watson tweeted congratulations to Derrick Rose for winning the NBA's most valuable player award, Rose claimed he hadn't been notified by the league yet and laughed off Watson's claim. "I didn't say anything to him about that, but I'm happy he's doing that," Rose said. "It means a lot coming from him. C.J. knows a lot of people out here, a lot of famous people too. So watch that guy." Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, CJ Watson, Derrick Rose 

One day after teammate C.J. Watson Tweeted out congratulations to Derrick Rose for winning the NBA's most valuable player award, Rose claimed he hadn't been notified by the league yet and laughed off Watson's claim. "I didn't say anything to him about that, but I'm happy that he's doing that," Rose said. "It means a lot coming from him. C.J. knows a lot of people out here, a lot of famous people too. So watch that guy." Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, CJ Watson, Derrick Rose 

Watson has over 337,000 followers on Twitter, a phenomenon that even Watson has had trouble explaining in the past. "Look at his followers," Rose said. "He's got a lot of famous people following him." Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, CJ Watson, Derrick Rose 

It would hardly be a surprise if Rose won the MVP, considering he averaged 25 points and 7.7 assists while leading Chicago to a league-best 62-20 record. Tom Thibodeau is also a favorite for coach of the year. Rose made light of Watson's post, saying "C.J. knows a lot of people. A lot of famous people, too, so watch that guy." Oklahoman

Chicago Bulls, CJ Watson, Derrick Rose 

BR: Tom Thibodeau is certainly one of the most vocal coaches in the league. Behind the animated sideline behavior is a guy who is quickly gaining respect as one of the NBA's best coaches. What's one thing he taught you this season that you think has made you a better player? CJ Watson: He taught me about preparation and always being ready. He is the most prepared coach I have ever had as far as getting his players prepared [and] making sure we know all the opponents’ plays, coverages and calls. He also tells me to be ready and stay ready, because you never know what can happen at any given moment. Sole Collector

Chicago Bulls, Tom Thibodeau, Coaching, CJ Watson 

CJ Watson: Congrats to drose on winning the MVP he's played unbelievable this season!!! now just need tibs to win coach of the yr. Twitter

Chicago Bulls, CJ Watson, Derrick Rose 

The NBA declined to comment on Watson's tweet. The league has awarded the MVP in the first week of May in recent seasons. The league also likes to announce the award the day before a home playoff game and then have Commissioner David Stern present it to the winner before a home playoff crowd. The Bulls have home playoff games against the Hawks Monday and Wednesday. Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, CJ Watson, Derrick Rose 

CJ Watson: Who said stoudemire aint worth 100 mil #getouttahere Twitter

New York Knicks, Amare Stoudemire, CJ Watson 

CJ Watson: Damn jalen rose smh smh smh he'll get back on top tho give him another chance Twitter

Jalen Rose, CJ Watson 

Watson is the floor general that leads the bench, and he couldn't be happier in Chicago. He joined the Bulls in July after being acquired from the Golden State Warriors in exchange for a second-round pick, and he's enjoying the change of scenery. "It's been good. I'm still just trying to make my minutes productive when I'm out there on the court. I'm trying to get the lead and push the tempo while I'm in there. I like it. It's just a little bit too cold. I'm not used to that yet," Watson told HOOPSWORLD. HoopsWorld

Chicago Bulls, CJ Watson 

When he first arrived in Chicago, he wasn't used to playing for a defensive oriented team. After spending three years under Don Nelson in Golden State, Watson was used to running and focusing primarily on offense. It didn't take him long to realize that wouldn't be the case under Tom Thibodeau. "First of all, there's more defense," Watson said. "It's been good because I've always tried to play good defense. It wasn't that tough, adjusting to the new system or style. It's actually been a lot of fun and easier because our bigs are way better defensively." HoopsWorld

Chicago Bulls, CJ Watson 

Technically, the Bulls signed Watson, 26, to be the backup for point guard Derrick Rose, but they're hoping Watson sees more time than the few minutes Rose spends on the bench during games. Rose and Watson can play together -- with Rose shifting to shooting guard -- to form a super-quick backcourt that could wreak havoc at both ends of the court. ''We'll get the ball up the court pretty fast,'' Watson said Friday. ''If me or [Rose] gets the rebound, we can get up in transition pretty well, get to the basket and find other people. It's going to be interesting to see how we play together. I don't think it'll be frustration or anything like that.'' Chicago Sun-Times

Chicago Bulls, CJ Watson, Derrick Rose 

''He definitely can score,'' Rose said. ''He's a real grinder [on defense]. He likes getting in passing lanes, won't back down from anything and plays with a lot of confidence. When he's out there, he really runs the offense. When I'm out, I know he can run the team.'' Chicago Sun-Times

Chicago Bulls, CJ Watson, Derrick Rose