Hoops Rumors

Bulls forward Patrick Williams practiced in full on Thursday and is on track to play approximately 20-24 minutes on Friday, coach Billy Donovan told K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network and other media members (Twitter link). Williams has been sidelined since Nov. 18 due to a foot injury. The Bulls held guard Josh Giddey (back tightness) out of practice but there’s optimism … [Read more...] about Central Notes: Williams, Pacers Practices, Bucks Tourney Run, Lillard

Revenge wasn’t on Jalen Smith‘s mind when he faced the Pacers Friday night for the first time since leaving them over the summer to sign with the Bulls, writes Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star. Given the financial realities of the situation, Smith and Indiana’s front office both seemed to understand going into last season that their relationship was about to end, Dopirak … [Read more...] about Bulls Notes: Smith, LaVine, Vucevic, Williams, Buzelis

The Rockets, Mavericks and Warriors are the teams most often linked to a potential Jimmy Butler trade, but none of them are considered certain to make a strong bid to acquire the Heat star, Marc Stein writes in his latest Substack column (subscription required). Stein views Golden State as the most serious contender among the group, with sources telling him that the Warriors … [Read more...] about Stein’s Latest: Butler, Wizards, Jazz, Nets, H. Jones, Sixers, Cavaliers

Donovan Clingan, the No. 7 overall pick of June’s draft, has been cleared for on-court workouts as he ramps up toward a return, according to the Trail Blazers, who announced (via Twitter) that the rookie center is day-to-day going forward. Clingan has been sidelined for the past seven games after sustaining a sprained MCL in his left knee. The former UConn big man, who won … [Read more...] about Injury Updates: Clingan, P. Williams, Rockets, Pacers

There was some skepticism coming into the season about whether Lonzo Ball would be healthy enough to play – and what sort of impact he’d have – for the Bulls after being sidelined due to knee issues for two-and-a-half years. Ball has only appeared in eight of 25 games, but his multi-week absence was the result of a new wrist injury rather than his surgically repaired knee, … [Read more...] about Eastern Notes: Ball, Mobley, Heat, K. Johnson