When asked about a report that he gave the Bulls his blessing to pursue a trade for Lakers forward Pau Gasol, Bulls star Derrick Rose vehemently denied any involvement. The initial rumor of Rose approaching the Bulls front office about bolstering the roster for a playoff run came on Sunday from Chris Sheridan of SheridanHoops.com. According to the article, Rose alluded to the fact that he would like to play with Gasol and hoped the organization could acquire him in exchange for Bulls forward Carlos Boozer and another unnamed player.
In a press conference before Wednesday's game against the Bucks, Rose said he would never go out of his way to try get rid of a teammate. Neil Hayes of the Chicago Sun-Times says Rose met with Boozer to discuss the report and said that his teammate understood that the rumors were untrue. "I'm good with the teammates I have," Rose said. "I've been saying that. We've been winning games. We're not in position to trade anyone right now."
A former Blue Devil, Boozer is in his second season with the Bulls and has started in all of the team's games this season. After missing time in his first year with Chicago, Boozer's improved health has led to steady production from the 10th-year veteran as he's averaging 15.6 PPG and 8.3 APG. Signed as free agent after spending time with the Cavaliers and Jazz, Boozer has $47.1MM remaining on his contract over the next three seasons.
I love Booz, but Gasol would be an upgrade if the price isn’t too steep. I would believe the trade would involve Korver and picks, including the Charlotte pick.
for declining old gasol? na
He’s averaging 2 less points than his career average with the emergence of Andrew Bynum stealing lots of touches from him and the totally dysfunctional situation in LA. Not to mention he’s about a year older than Boozer, plays better D, and would mix much better with Noah.
Booz is lazy. If the Bulls could trade him and that contract they probably would. He’s a no show in big games. Lakers want a PG, not a guy coming off the bench.
No show in big games? Based on what? The playoffs where he was playing on one foot?
I told you guys, Rose would never do what the media claimed he did. Sheridan either made it up, or his “source” made it up, either way there should be repercussions. Unfortunately that won’t happen because the media continues to get a free pass for consistently lying, and messing with people’s lives.