John Paxson Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Central Notes: Marjanovic, Payne, George

May 5th, 2017 at 10:04pm CST by Austin Kent

Expect Pistons big man Boban Marjanovic to get more of an opportunity to shine next season. Rod Beard of the Detroit News writes that fans can expect current backup center Aron Baynes to explore free agency by turning down his player option, leaving Marjonvic as the next man up behind Andre Drummond.

In limited action Marjanovic showed flashes of excellence, no surprise considering he did just that with the Spurs in 2015/16. Per 36, his 23.5 points and 16.0 rebounds make him a particularly compelling option for a Pistons team that often has to bench Drummond on account of his poor free-throw shooting.

Unfortunately, as the Pistons struggled and eventually failed to sneak into the postseason, Marjanovic was rarely used in 2016/17.

“This is a fault of ours that we really didn’t build anything around him, either offensively or defensively,” Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy said last month. “We have to do some defensive things to help him and we’ve got to get him the ball even more offensively, but he was our third center, so we didn’t build enough around him. Certainly we will, going forward.”

There’s more from the Central Division:

The Bulls are still very high on Cameron Payne, Vincent Goodwill of CSN Chicago writes, despite the fact that the guard wasn’t featured as heavily as some thought he would be following the deal in which they acquired him.
While they may be exploring their trade options, the Bulls mean no disrespect to starting swingman Jimmy Butler, K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune writes. “Don’t misunderstand: We think the world of him. You can’t say enough good things about how this young man has made himself the player that he is,” team executive vice president John Paxson said.
A panel of NBA.com columnists discussed what they would do with Paul George this offseason and how big of a priority retaining him would be if they stepped into the role of incoming Pacers president Kevin Pritchard.
The Bucks worked out a handful of NCAA seniors today, with the full list of players available at the team’s official website. Milwaukee will pick No. 17 in this year’s draft.

Bulls Notes: Rondo, Hoiberg, Butler, Mirotic

May 3rd, 2017 at 12:34pm CST by Luke Adams

Bulls executives John Paxson and Gar Forman spoke to the media in a Wednesday press conference that lasted the better part of an hour. Although Paxson and Forman didn’t exactly lay out their offseason blueprint, several of their answers provided hints about the Bulls’ next steps.

For one, Paxson praised Rajon Rondo and said there’s a “really good chance” that the team will retain the veteran point guard for next season, per Nick Friedell of ESPN.com (Twitter link). As we outlined this morning in our Offseason Cap Digest for the Bulls, Rondo’s $13.397MM salary is currently only partially guaranteed for $3MM, so Chicago could save more than $10MM by cutting him — but likely won’t.

Here are more items of note from today’s presser, with all links via Friedell unless otherwise indicated:

Paxson reiterated today that Fred Hoiberg will return as the Bulls’ head coach next season (Twitter link).
Although Paxson acknowledged that Jimmy Butler doesn’t necessarily fit into Chicago’s desire to play with pace, he said the Bulls “know his value”and that Butler is “far and away our best player” (Twitter links via K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Tribune and Friedell).
The Bulls will sit down with Butler and Dwyane Wade – who has a player option – within the next few weeks to discuss their respective futures (Twitter links).
Both Paxson and Forman spoke about the importance of establishing more consistent roles for players next season, particularly for the Bulls’ young guys (Twitter links).
The Bulls value Nikola Mirotic, according to Forman, who made it clear that there’s mutual interest between the two sides in getting a new deal done for the RFA-to-be (Twitter links).
Asked about coaching staff changes, Paxson said the team is “in the process of looking at everything.” With Hoiberg a lock to return, any changes made would be to the assistant coaches (Twitter links via Johnson).
The Bulls want to add shooting and athleticism this summer, according to Paxson (Twitter link).
The Bulls continue to stress the idea of maintaining flexibility for 2018 and beyond. Paxson suggested that it would be “difficult” to make significant changes to the roster this summer, while Forman talked about the advantage of saving cap room rather than committing to multiple long-term deals right away (Twitter links via Friedell and Vincent Goodwill of CSNChicago.com).

John Paxson’s Role May Expand In Chicago

May 1st, 2017 at 11:37am CST by Arthur Hill

The Bulls are considering front office changes this offseason, which may include more day-to-day control of the team for vice president John Paxson, tweets Marc Stein of ESPN.com.

That ties into a story from K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Tribune, who suggests that “subtle” front office changes are in the works. Organizational meetings are planned for this week, and management may hold a press conference to announce the moves as soon as tomorrow.

Johnson notes that the Tribune reported in February that Paxson and GM Gar Forman were safe in their jobs even if the Bulls missed the playoffs. Chicago rallied to claim the eighth seed, then took a 2-0 lead over the Celtics before being eliminated in six games.

Forman has promised that coach Fred Hoiberg will return in the fall to begin his third season, even though he has become the target of fan wrath. The crowd at Game 6 was loudly chanting “Fire Hoiberg” as the final minutes ticked away.

Behind the scenes, the Reinsdorf family still has faith in its management team, but team president Michael Reinsdorf is an advocate for more debate on key decisions. Paxson’s brother, Jim, a former GM of the Cavaliers, is someone who could be given a stronger voice in the organization.

Bulls Notes: Butler, Rondo, Payne

April 29th, 2017 at 9:03am CST by Austin Kent

As the dust settles on Chicago’s elimination from the NBA postseason, the topic of conversation shifts from their impressive early series performance against the Celtics to what they’ll do in the offseason. Jimmy Butler, for what it’s worth, tells Nick Friedell of ESPN that he’d like to remain with the Bulls.

Butler is well aware of the fact that he’ll be featured heavily in trade rumors this offseason but went so far as to say that he hoped the Bulls front office would retain potential free agent Rajon Rondo. The Bulls have a player option on the second year of the veteran guard’s contract.

“He’s been huge for us this year,” Butler said. “[…] But I don’t know what the future holds for anybody. So I’ll sit back and wait on that time to come.”

The 27-year-old swingman put up 23.9 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game for the Bulls despite the notoriously chaotic campaign and has said all the right things when it comes to his future in Chicago.

Whether the Bulls front office decides to keep the core that looked so promising in Games 1 and 2 of their first-round series together for another crack at Eastern Conference success in 2017/18, however, remains to be seen.

There’s more from Chicago:

It was a frustrating season for Bulls fans, one they can blame on executives Gar Forman and John Paxon. ESPN’s Nick Friedell recently wrote about how the front office hasn’t exactly stuck to the message they initially broadcast to fans about a pending rebuild.
Count The Vertical’s Shams Charania among those looking to make sense of the Bulls’ options heading forward. Much of what unfolds could depend on Dwyane Wade‘s player option, which at this point remains up in the air. Per Charania, Wade and Jimmy Butler will eventually discuss the decision “face-to-face”.
A series of ESPN Insider panelists recently discussed the looming decisions that the Bulls will have to make. Despite a dramatic 2016/17, the consensus believes we’ll see a similar roster in 2017/18 once the front office picks up Rajon Rondo’s option and Dwyane Wade takes his.
The Bulls still need a point guard for their future, K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune writes. “It’s tough. We’re asking guys to play roles they haven’t played all year,” head coach Fred Hoiberg said of asking players like Dwyane Wade, Isaiah Canaan and even Paul Zipser to bring up the ball in their elimination game Friday.
The carousal of point guards that the Bulls trotted out this season didn’t impress Berry Tramel of the Oklahoman. The Thunder columnist wrote about how Cameron Payne – the supposed primary factor in the Taj Gibson deal – was Chicago’s fifth-string point guard.

Bulls To Hold Post-Playoff Meeting With Butler

April 28th, 2017 at 8:32pm CST by Arthur Hill

The Bulls plan to meet with Jimmy Butler after the playoffs to express their support for keeping him, writes Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times.

The session will be separate from routine exit interviews, and Cowley describes it as an attempt to repair a deteriorating relationship. John Paxson, the team’s vice president of basketball operations, will attend the meeting, but it’s uncertain if GM Gar Forman will be there.

Butler was reportedly angered after hearing his name mentioned in trade rumors around the deadline and last year’s draft. He received a $95MM contract extension two years ago, but never felt like the team really committed to him.

He was also upset when Paxson said in a press conference after the trade deadline, “You build with players. We are building with Jimmy right now.’’ Butler became determined to lead the Bulls to the playoffs and show the front office that he was the type of player to build around, not just with.

A source told Cowley that Butler has communicated to the front office and to teammates that he wants to stay in Chicago. He is expected to repeat that sentiment in the upcoming meeting, with a warning that the Bulls should stop leaking his name in trade rumors if they really want to keep him.

Butler is signed for two more seasons with a $19.84MM player option in 2019/20.

Bulls Notes: Rondo, Butler, Hoiberg, Gibson

February 23rd, 2017 at 9:37pm CST by Arthur Hill

The Bulls don’t plan to buy out Rajon Rondo, tweets K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Tribune. GM Gar Forman confirmed that tonight, telling reporters the organization would rather hold onto the veteran point guard and use his contract as a trade chip in the offseason. Rondo signed a two-year deal with Chicago in July, but only $3MM of his $13,397,000 salary for next season is guaranteed before June 30. Rondo’s time with the Bulls has been a disappointment, as he was benched briefly, then relegated to the second unit. Although he has been effective in that role, there’s no guarantee it will continue after today’s trade for Cameron Payne.

There’s more post-deadline news out of Chicago:

The Celtics were willing to include one of the Nets’ first-rounders in trade talks for Jimmy Butler, but sources tell Johnson that Boston wanted to place protections on it (Twitter link). The scope of those protections was not released.
Bulls executive John Paxson says the organization wouldn’t commit to rebuilding without “certainty” and never got close to that in any of the offers for Butler (Twitter link). He acknowledges that trade discussions with the Celtics will probably start again by June, and insists Chicago’s playoff fate won’t factor into the decision on Butler (Twitter link).
Paxson hasn’t wavered in his support for coach Fred Hoiberg, saying there has been growth in his second season behind the bench (Twitter link).
The deal that sent Taj Gibson to Oklahoma City was made to create more playing time for Bobby Portis and Denzel Valentine (Twitter link). “When you’re trying to develop a team with young players, you need them to get on the floor,” Paxson said (Twitter link).
Gibson said he knew of eight teams that were trying to trade for him (Twitter link). “The hardest part was seeing people’s faces on the way out,” Gibson said in a radio interview. “It’s family.”
Gibson would consider coming back to Chicago “at the right price,” tweets Nick Friedell of ESPN.com. He will be a free agent this summer after making $8.95MM this season. Gibson also indicated that he would consider being a coach with the Bulls when his playing days are finished (Twitter link).

Bulls Expected To Retain John Paxson, Gar Forman

February 8th, 2017 at 12:23pm CST by Luke Adams

The Bulls’ front office has received some criticism for its roster construction, but the men in charge of assembling the squad aren’t in danger of losing their jobs, according to K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Tribune. Sources familiar with ownership’s thinking tell Johnson that executive VP John Paxson and GM Gar Forman are safe, and that’s expected to continue even if Chicago misses the playoffs this spring.

Last summer, the Bulls added veteran free agents Rajon Rondo and Dwyane Wade to their roster after trading Derrick Rose, creating a questionable mix of backcourt players who aren’t three-point threats. The moves have produced mixed results for the Bulls, who are currently in the No. 7 spot in the East with a 26-26 record. Chicago has looked good at times, but has suffered its share of bad losses, and recently saw three of the club’s marquee players publicly criticize teammates — Wade and Jimmy Butler were critical of the Bulls’ young players, prompting Rondo to fire back at the duo.

Despite the Bulls’ problems, Jerry and Michael Reisendorf remain loyal to the current management group, and continue to hold the team’s talent evaluation in “high regard,” a source tells Johnson. According to Johnson, there’s also an internal feeling that this season represents the start of a new era for the franchise, following the Rose trade — team ownership wants to give the front office a chance to reshape the roster over multiple seasons.

With only about $46MM in guaranteed salary on their books for 2017/18, the Bulls should have the opportunity to make some major moves in the offseason, particularly if Wade turns down his player option. For now, it seems as though Paxson and Forman will once again be in charge of those roster decisions.

Rondo Will Seek Trade If Benching Persists

January 1st, 2017 at 7:46pm CST by Arthur Hill

Bulls guard Rajon Rondo plans to ask for a trade if his benching becomes permanent, writes K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Tribune.

Rondo sat out his first full game Saturday, then met with GM Gar Forman and executive vice president John Paxson afterward. Rondo told them the same thing he told reporters, which is that he will “absolutely” request a trade if he is not getting regular playing time.

Coach Fred Hoiberg may use Rondo as part of the reserve unit, but his time as a starter in Chicago appears to be over. If Rondo comes off the bench, Hoiberg may alter Dwyane Wade‘s minutes because he and Rondo haven’t effective when playing together.

Rondo and Wade were the Bulls’ major free agent acquisitions over the summer, but there were concerns that their games were too similar for them to work in tandem. Both like to drive to the basket, and neither is especially dangerous as a 3-point shooter. Talking to reporters Saturday, Rondo refused to criticize the way the roster was constructed.

“I’m not going to say that,” Rondo said. “Am I going to think it? I thought a lot the last 24 hours. I thought a lot all season. I’m trying to figure out a way to help this team grow and get some wins.”

Rondo has experienced run-ins with coaches during past stops in his NBA career, but Hoiberg said his behavior has been good apart from a one-game suspension for throwing a towel at associate head coach Jim Boylen. Hoiberg’s decision to bench Rondo stems from his production rather than off-court incidents.

Rondo is averaging 7.1 assists per game for the Bulls after leading the league with 11.7 per night last season with the Kings. His scoring average has also dropped from 11.9 to 7.2 points per game.

“I’m coming off not necessarily my best year but a pretty good year in Sacramento. I was able to do things a little bit differently,” Rondo said. “Obviously, coming here playing with Dwyane and Jimmy [Butler] I knew would be different. Fred and I talked in the beginning, said I would be able to call a lot of the plays. The flow of the game and throughout the season, things may change.”

Even if Rondo does request a deal, nothing is expected to happen until closer to the February 23d deadline, Johnson tweets. Rondo is making $14MM this season and nearly $13.4MM next season, but only $3MM of his 2017/18 salary is guaranteed before July 1st.

Bulls Consider Coaching Change

December 30th, 2016 at 12:00pm CST by Arthur Hill

The Bulls’ poor performance in December could cost coach Fred Hoiberg his job, according to Marc Stein of ESPN.

Sources tell Stein that Chicago is “increasingly assessing the coaching fit” as the team slides down the Eastern Conference standings. The Bulls stand at .500 after going 6-9 this month and recently went through a stretch where they dropped six of seven. Back-to-back wins this week over the Pacers and Nets have done little to ease the feeling that a coaching change might be necessary.

The 44-year-old Hoiberg is in just his second season as an NBA coach after leaving Iowa State, and the Bulls’ front office is concerned that he hasn’t been able to take control of a veteran roster. He has been protected so far by a five-year contract worth about $25MM that would cost the organization a significant amount of guaranteed money if he is fired.

Hoiberg still has a strong supporter in GM Gar Forman, who identified him as Tom Thibodeau’s successor well before a coaching change was made. Hoiberg was considered to be an innovator on offense, but Stein points out that the Bulls’ attack remains predictable and still relies heavily on isolation.

Some of that is due to a roster that doesn’t fit Hoiberg’s preferred approach of pushing tempo and spreading the floor. Chicago’s main additions this offseason were Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo, two veteran guards who are limited threats from 3-point range.

Those moves were made by Forman and vice president of basketball operations John Paxson, who are also targets of growing fan frustration, Stein notes.

Chicago currently has a tenuous hold on the final playoff spot, just a half-game ahead of the Wizards and only two games above the 12th-place Magic. If the team’s fortunes don’t improve quickly, Hoiberg could become this season’s first coach to be replaced.

Bulls Executive John Paxson Discusses Roster

December 25th, 2016 at 12:59pm CST by Arthur Hill

Bulls vice president of basketball operations John Paxson says “athleticism” is the team’s most important roster issue, relays the Chicago Tribune. In a radio interview this morning on WSCR-AM 670, Paxson praised coach Fred Hoiberg and offseason addition Dwyane Wade, while asking for more out of Doug McDermott and Nikola Mirotic. Here are a few highlights:

On the need for more athletic players to keep up with the rest of the league:

“We’ve got some vets who know how to play and can score. But when you look around the league and the way the game is now, that’s an area we have to address. That is a part of the plan. We’ll try to do that obviously through the draft and free agency if we can. You always have the trade option. Right now, our roster is what it is.”

On Michael Carter-Williams, who has been sidelined by injuries since October 31st:

“You kind of forget that he’s even on the roster because we traded for him so late in camp and then three games in, he took a fall and hurt himself. The coaching staff was just getting acclimated to him and he was doing very well for us. We’re excited to get him back. I think he will help our depth and our rotation as well.”

On Mirotic, who is headed toward free agency but seems to have regressed during his third season, shooting just 38% from the field:

“Niko has a tendency to get down on himself to be honest with you. Sometimes as player, you have to say to yourself, ‘Enough is enough. I’m going to go out and compete and work on my game.’ A lot of this is on the individual. Niko is a great guy. He has the ability to get better.”

On the surprise addition of Wade, who left Miami to sign with the Bulls this summer:

“It’s rare when a guy like that becomes available. Dwyane was one of those players you would think would’ve been with Miami his entire career just the way it had gone. He had been through good times, He had been through rebuilding. He’s professional with his approach and his attitude. He knows how to prepare himself. At this stage of his career, he knows what he can and can’t do. We’re trying to watch him carefully to make sure he doesn’t break down. But he takes very good care of himself. He’s right around that 30-minute mark a game for us, which is what he had intended for him hoping to keep him fresh. I think he has taken some of the pressure off of Jimmy [Butler] just in terms of having to speak all the time and be the voice. They’ve formed a very nice bond together.”

On the roster overhaul that began with the trade of Derrick Rose to the Knicks:

“We rode out Derrick’s injury for a long time. We had our team built at that point. Derrick’s injury obviously was a huge blow to us. He never really got back to where he was for us. We had just paid him. We tried to plug holes. But in the meantime, you’re drafting kind of middle of the pack all the time. You’re good enough to make the playoffs but you’re picking anywhere between 14, 15 and 22. It’s difficult to get impact players unless you’re lucky like we were with Jimmy years ago. There aren’t any excuses from us. We can point back to we thought we had it going but Derrick blows out his knee and all of a sudden, that changed our fortune a little bit. Had he not gotten hurt, who knows what would’ve happened. But that’s not our reality. We have to continue to try to find a way to put better players and a better team out there on the floor. That’s what we’re trying to do. At some point this year, we may have to give our young guys opportunities that they may need to see if they can develop into players.”