RUMOR? CHILL Wade says former teammate Bosh putting HAWKS102, BULLS93 health before return, which reportedly could come with Bulls
Bosh to Bulls is latest if he’s OK next season
ATLANTA — There is a plan.
Coach Fred Hoiberg swears there is.
What does it entail? The second- year coach isn’t about to go there, but he’s behind it. Whatever it is.
“Yeah, there’s a plan,’’ Hoiberg said Friday when asked about the direction of the Bulls. “As far as the rumors, that’s not something I’m going to comment on. Again, things get thrown out there at this time of year.’’
A few weeks ago, it was an ESPN report that had the Bulls using back channels to shop Jimmy Butler. The SunTimes dismissed the report. A source said then that the Bulls were taking calls on Butler but hadn’t made one since before the draft in June.
Now, ESPN is at it again, reporting that the Bulls would be interested in signing Heat big man Chris Bosh next season if he were to become a free agent and be medically cleared. A big if since he is dealing with blood clots and might have to retire at the age of 32.
Former Heat teammate Dwyane Wade is friends with Bosh and said the forward/ center is focused on his health first and foremost, with basketball being an afterthought.
“The biggest thing with Chris is the same thing, his health,’’ Wade said. “He’s not even playing basketball right now. Basketball is something he loves, and I’m sure somewhere in the back of his mind he would love to be able to do it again. But I know his steps, and at this moment, it’s not there now. I can’t even talk about next year.’’
Wade was asked if the Bulls would be an ideal landing spot for Bosh, especially because Wade could pick up his option for next season and would be a good recruiter. With Taj Gibson set to explore the free- agent market and with the Bulls having money to spend, the rumor has grown legs.
There is one major problem, however.
Bosh’s condition could be life- threatening. For a franchise riddled with health issues since 2012, would it really want to go down this road?
“I know Chris is worried about his health first,’’ Wade said. “He has a family that he loves, and he wants to make sure that he’s as healthy and whole as he can. But also he loves the game of basketball, so when that day comes, there are always going to be stories about guys where they have friends at.
“Everyone knows he’s a good friend of mine, so that’s probably where you get some of that. But besides that, he hasn’t told me that.’’
Hoiberg’s concerns with the roster were a bit more immediate.
With the Feb. 23 trade deadline approaching, if general manager Gar Forman does have a plan to get “younger and more athletic,’’ like he claimed before the signing of Wade, it might be time to take steps in that direction.
Every front office has a big board filled with names of players it could pursue, but it’s starting to feel like Forman uses his big board for doodling.
“That’s a great question on how active we will be,’’ Hoiberg said. “We’ll see how things play out. If there’s moves to be made that can help the franchise in the future, obviously things will happen. But it’s got to be a move that makes sense for both sides, and very rarely does that happen.’’