[From the FanShots. You can look at this as nothing, or the opening salvo in the Bulls attempt to low-ball Johnson's contract extension in 2013. It's August, feel whatever you may :-) -ed.]

On one occasion, Johnson has tried to cut short a workout, thanking an assistant coach after a few drills and trying to leave only to be scolded that they weren't done yet. One source within the organization said he expects forgotten man Taj Gibson to have a bigger impact than Johnson in their rookie years.

Joakim's also worked on his post game, especially developing a plan of attack and working on how to read the situation with the ball. The goal is greater decisiveness and quicker, better decisions.

From the RealGM board.

Bucher also explained his understanding of the contours of the policy. "My guess is I can still tweet about my vacation/car shopping, etc. Which I will do, if I can. But the informal NBA talk is prob in jeopardy."

[From the fanshots. Adjust your books accordingly -ed.]

via Mark Deeks of Bulls Confidential:

Thomas, bought out last month, was owed $6,466,600 this year in the final season of a four year contract for the full value of the Mid Level Exception that he signed with the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2006 offseason. The Bulls paid him $4,866,600 to go away, meaning they saved $1.6 million in salary for next year, and opened up $1.6 million in wiggle room under the luxury tax.

Jim Paxson recently remarried and moved to Arizona, so he spends almost all of his time away from the Berto Center.

"I’m going to do what’s best for me and the organization," Gray said. "There’s other interest out there. I love the city of Chicago. I’m just going to play basketball and worry about getting better and whatever happens happens.

My agent told me, ‘I’m going to put you in a good situation. Just worry about basketball. You’re going to be in the NBA next year and a good position.’ That’s all I need to know. I love Chicago. If there’s a better opportunity who knows at this point."

"We're definitely not close as far as what we're discussing and what we think fair market [value] is for Raymond," Bradbury said Wednesday, a day after the meeting.

The Bobcats, already over the salary cap, are under orders from owner Bob Johnson not to go over the luxury tax threshold of $69.9 million.

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Hmmm...lead guard and the team "far apart" on numbers. Owner strictly against going over the tax. Heh, I know how this is going to end.

Deng’s probable absence will be a blow to everyone involved in Britain’s elevation from also-rans to credible diners at basketball’s top table.

The Sudan-born, London-raised Chicago Bulls ace has been the figurehead for his adopted country’s rise and was key to GB hopes in Poland, the first top-level test on the road to the 2012 Olympics in Deng’s home town.

Eddy Curry skipped, hopped and jogged across a high school basketball court Sunday night, looking slimmer, healthier and more vibrant than he has in at least a year.

He has already lost about 30 pounds through a stringent off-season regimen and will continue with the program until September.

Updated with new link and ESPN story

Sources stressed to ESPN.com that no deal was imminent Thursday and that both Portland and Utah are still evaluating multiple trade scenarios. But two sources with knowledge of the three-team proposal confirmed that there have been substantive talks regarding a trade that would land Boozer in Chicago, Hinrich in Portland and Tyrus Thomas in Utah.

A deal featuring those main components would deliver the elite low-post scorer that the Bulls have been chasing for years in Boozer and furnish Portland with a lead guard in Hinrich that the Blazers are known to rate highly as a potential backcourt mate for Brandon Roy. It's possible that other players would be added to balance out the transaction from a salary-cap perspective if the three teams elect to take these talks further.