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The Richard Hamilton trade rumors were given their last rites this week. That doesn’t mean Bulls general manager Gar Forman won’t take calls, but he sure doesn’t sound like he’s making them. “No, no, Rip is a big part of what we’re doing,’’ Forman said when asked about the validity of all the Hamilton talk. “I think Rip’s been really good.’’ Chicago Sun-Times

Chicago Bulls, Trade, Richard Hamilton, Gar Forman 

Thibodeau thinks Hamilton’s presence in the second half of the season, as well as the playoffs, will be huge from a leadership standpoint. That’s why he has gone out of his way to make sure Hamilton, 34, was on a minutes watch during the first part of the season, trying to keep him between 20 and 25 per game. Chicago Sun-Times

Chicago Bulls, Trade, Richard Hamilton 

I was talking with a general manager the other day who said if he were the Bulls he’d try to move Hamilton because you shouldn’t be paying the luxury tax when you are not seriously competing, which the Bulls cannot be without Rose. But I’m fairly sure the Bulls would not take back a longer contract for Hamilton given they can buy out Hamilton after this season. I get a dozen or so Boozer trade suggestions every week, but there remains little market for him with $32 million still left on his deal after this season. And he’s been playing pretty well. NBA.com

Chicago Bulls, Trade, Richard Hamilton 

Having Hamilton back also means that veteran shooter Marco Belinelli heads back to the bench after an impressive December. Because of Hamilton's limited playing time, Belinelli, who scored 17 on Saturday night, and second-year swingman Jimmy Butler will still see minutes, but Thibodeau still isn't sure just how many each will get it. It's because of Belinelli's solid play and Butler's energy off the bench that Hamilton's name has popped up in a lot of trade speculation throughout the league. "I don't pay attention to it," said, who has a team option at the end of this season. "It happens every year. Every year, if you ain't in a trade rumor, then you ain't doing something right. That's how I always looked at it. That's the way this game goes, you hear about stuff every day because GM's are talking to different players every day. It's nothing that I even get caught up or think about or anything like that." ESPN.com

Chicago Bulls, Trade, Richard Hamilton 

However, with his recent injury, that could be hard to pull off unless he makes an impressive return in the month or so leading up to the deadline, so it might not be possible to move him. Actually, I'm sure they could find a taker -- Phoenix, for one, is a team that I've heard has some interest -- but at this stage of his career, Hamilton and his representatives might not be open to playing for a non-contender, even for half of a season. CSN Chicago

Chicago Bulls, Phoenix Suns, Trade, Richard Hamilton 

As always, the Bulls' front office will be scouring the rest of the league for potential trade scenarios that could benefit the team at the deadline, just like every other organization. The team holds an option to re-sign Rip Hamilton next season, making him the equivalent of an expiring contract due to the low guaranteed money, and since the summer I've heard that they would be receptive to offers for him and have even dangled his name a bit. CSN Chicago

Chicago Bulls, Trade, Richard Hamilton 

League sources indicate that veteran shooting guard Richard Hamilton has been offered in trade scenarios, efforts that could intensity as the Feb. 21 trade deadline nears. Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Trade, Richard Hamilton 

KC Johnson: Speaking for first time since tearing plantar fascia, Richard Hamilton said team told him he could miss 4 weeks but hopes to return sooner. Twitter @KCJHoop

Chicago Bulls, Richard Hamilton, Injuries 

The diagnosis for the veteran Hamilton is still the same. ‘‘Basically, could be a week, could be two weeks, could be longer,’’ Thibodeau added. ‘‘Once he feels good enough to play, he’ll be back.’’ Chicago Sun-Times

Chicago Bulls, Richard Hamilton, Injuries 

Hamilton declined to address reporters, but Thibodeau said the veteran was in good spirits and rode a stationary bicycle during practice. "He has some soreness, but he'll be fine," Thibodeau said. "He's had a number of different injuries, so he understands what he has to go through to get back. It could be a week. It could be two weeks. It could be longer. Once he feels good enough to play, he'll be back." Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Richard Hamilton, Injuries 

Chicago Bulls guard Rip Hamilton will be out indefinitely after tearing the plantar fascia in his left foot Saturday night. "We'll see," Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said of Hamilton's prognosis after Monday's practice. "It could be a week, it could be two weeks, it could be longer. Once he feels good enough to play, he'll be back." ESPN.com

Chicago Bulls, Richard Hamilton, Injuries 

Hamilton tore the plantar fascia in his left foot during Saturday's victory over the 76ers. Thibodeau said Hamilton was in good spirits on Monday and rode the stationary bicycle. There is no timetable for his return. "It could be a week," Thibodeau said. "It could be two weeks. It could be longer. Once he feels good enough to play, he’ll be back." Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Richard Hamilton, Injuries 

Alex Kennedy: With Richard Hamilton sidelined, the Bulls may pursue free agent Mo Evans. Chicago has expressed interest in Evans in the past. Twitter @AlexKennedyNBA

Chicago Bulls, Free Agency, Richard Hamilton, Maurice Evans 

Rip Hamilton has a torn plantar fascia in his left foot, an MRI revealed Sunday. Hamilton injured the foot in the third quarter of the Chicago Bulls' win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night. The team said Hamilton would return the court "as his symptoms permit." The injury occurred with just under three minutes left in the third quarter. Hamilton had to be helped off the floor by teammates Kirk Hinrich and Luol Deng and was putting no weight on the foot. "I felt something pop," Hamilton admitted after the game. ESPN.com

Chicago Bulls, Richard Hamilton, Injuries 

Either Marco Belinelli or Jimmy Butler will start at shooting guard. Hamilton could be out a week or more. The Bulls have one roster spot open, but if they sign somebody that player wouldn't crack the rotation ahead of Belinelli or Butler. Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Richard Hamilton, Injuries 

Hamilton suffered the injury when he jumped to throw a pass to Carlos Boozer with 3:15 left in the third quarter. ''[It happened] when I jumped up,'' Hamilton said. ''As soon as I came off my feet, that's when I really felt something on the bottom of my foot. I felt something pop.'' Hamilton was carried off by teammates and went directly to the trainer's room. The Bulls announced Hamilton had a sprained foot and his return was questionable. ''It was a lot scarier than I thought,'' said Hamilton, who scored 15 points on 6-of-12 shooting. ''But we'll see. [Sunday] I'm supposed to get an MRI on it. But the good thing about it I was able to put a little bit of weight on it and was able to go back into the game.'' Chicago Sun-Times

Chicago Bulls, Richard Hamilton, Injuries 

But even if it’s offense-defense substitutions needed to get Hamilton on the court late, for a team mired in struggles scoring the ball and without the necessary poise needed to win tight games recently, it’s a mystery why a player known for stepping up in the clutch doesn’t get the opportunity to show what he’s capable of. Hamilton answered those concerns diplomatically, perhaps out of deference for Thibodeau’s track record or maybe because after the end to his successful run in Detroit was tainted by the implication that he wasn’t as much as of a team-first player that he seemed to be for his entire career prior to the allegations that surfaced before leaving the Pistons. Either way, he wouldn’t bite. CSN Chicago

Chicago Bulls, Richard Hamilton 

“The one thing you’ve just got to do is just cheer for the guy that’s out there. Hopefully we get the win, so you just try to stay positive with it,” he calmly said afterwards. ““Like I always say, whatever they need me to do, I’m going to do. If it’s play whatever, I’m going to play. Just trying to stay positive, just try to keep getting better each and every day. “When I came [to Chicago], it was just one of those things,” Hamilton cryptically continued. “I didn’t want to get caught up in anything else.” CSN Chicago

Chicago Bulls, Richard Hamilton 

While Hamilton will never admit to acknowledging that he’s starting to approach the twilight of his career—and why would he, as he’s displayed on multiple occasions this season, even on the Bulls’ current road trip, that he’s still capable of being a major offensive force— one has to think that the whispers about him being the same player and being potential trade bait before the league-wide deadline so the organization can avoid the luxury tax have affected him. Although he reported to training camp in tip-top shape after privately being challenged to step up his game, the party line about protecting his health has to be wearing thin. CSN Chicago

Chicago Bulls, Trade, Richard Hamilton 

The Cavs (1-1) had beaten the Bulls in the preseason, and that had not been forgotten. Coach Tom Thibodeau had the team staring at film the last 24 hours. And then a Cleveland fan opened up his mouth early in the third quarter and woke up Richard Hamilton. “Some dude in the crowd called me old,’’ Hamilton said. “That’s what woke me up. He called me ‘Old Man River,’ some dude behind me. So I was like, ‘All right, I got something for you.’ ’’ Chicago Sun-Times

Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Richard Hamilton