Chicago Bulls Rumors: Derrick Rose, Jimmy Butler Tension Hurts Contract as Joakim Noah, Pau Gasol Push Tom Tibodeau Return with Taj Gibson, Mike Dunleavy Out?

May 19, 2015 10:19 AM EDT
Derrick Rose, Jimmy Butler
Chicago Bulls stars Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler prepare for a 2015 home game."

The Chicago Bulls are currently weighing the pros and cons of many things like whether or not head coach Tom Thibodeau will return for the two remaining years or his contract along with the max contract Jimmy Butler is patiently waiting for. The Bulls showed they are capable of being title contenders after a few down seasons riddled by injuries and offseason moves will determine if they can really make the jump or not. With Derrick Rose returning healthy, he is giving his endorsement to bringing Thibodeau back while potentially not supporting the deal for Butler.

According to the Chicago Tribune, the Bulls do not want to move on from Thibodeau unless they are positive they can get someone better to take his place. That means there is still a chance, albeit a small chance, that the head coach returns to Chicago next season. The question of whether or not Thibodeau is to blame for the downfall of Chicago this season is a highly debated topic and one the players do not support.

"I think Thibs is a hard worker and somebody who's always had us prepared. Now we just don't know the situation [with] anybody. We lost in the second round, but [there's been] a lot of great memories, and that's all I can say," Joakim Noah said, via ESPNChicago.com.

Rose echoed those statements saying that Thibodeau has a really close bond with everyone on the team and while it is not his decision whether or not the coach stays or goes, the point guard is making it clear that he supports him. "Thibs, we grew a bond together. With him being [an assistant coach] on USA Basketball. Him coming out to L.A. to check up on me after my surgeries when I was working out out there. I think we really have a bond, so it's not up to my decision. I loved him as a coach," Rose said.

Could Rose have an impact on whether or not Butler gets that max contract he is preparing for? According to Dan Bernstein of CBS Chicago, Rose and Butler had a falling out after the loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, citing a clash of egos as the main reason. When Rose was out with injury, Butler emerged as the alpha dog and primary scorer for Chicago, something that remained even when the point guard returned. According to Bernstein, that did not sit well with both players and tension has spilled over.

Now, this should be taken with a grain of salt as it could easily just be the rumor mill churning out headlines on a slow news day. Butler will have the option to head elsewhere this season if his heart desires as many teams will try and outbid the Bulls for the small forward. Butler has made it clear a return to Chicago is his favored option and the Bulls have stated the same thing, but expected the NBA's Most Improved Player to at least listen to other offers. 

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