A league source confirmed a Yahoo! Sports report that Carmelo Anthony’s camp has engaged the Bulls’ camp in the seemingly never-ending trade talks with the Nuggets. However the Bulls won’t include Joakim Noah in a deal for Carmelo, thats a stumbling block

Bulls star Luol Deng ranks third behind Monta Ellis and Rudy Gay in average minutes played at 39.3. He has logged 40 or more minutes in 10 of the last 15 games. Some of those games also have featured strong performances, including lockdown defense on Gay and 28 points in 42 minutes of Monday’s victory over the Grizzlies. But Tom Thibodeau dropped Deng’s minutes to 34 Tuesday despite the Bulls playing without Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah. “I don’t want to make excuses,” Deng said. “I felt good about the 3. I was wide open, had time. I tried to make sure I wasn’t short.” — Chicago Tribune

Power forward Carlos Boozer, the Bulls’ top free-agent acquisition this summer, was benched for the final 14 minutes. “You have to talk to Thibs about that,” Boozer said when asked about the benching after the game. “That was a coaching decision.” Tom Thibodeau did his best after the game to make it appear that the decision to bench his starting power forward had more to do with the team’s play than Boozer’s play. — Chicago Sun-Times

Though he has scored just 14 points in his first season with the Bulls, Brian Scalabrine has become the fan favorite in Chicago that he was in Boston. Continue reading →

Privately, Joakim Noah has been battling bruised tendons in his right hand, which keeps getting whacked and thus can’t heal. Team sources told the Tribune management has had internal discussions about sitting Noah, although the center traveled to Toronto and is scheduled to play Wednesday against the Raptors when the Bulls vie for their seventh straight victory. — Chicago Tribune

With both Carlos Boozer and Taj Gibson practicing Tuesday, the Bulls were at full strength for the first time since Oct. 1. Whether they will be Wednesday night against the Magic remains to be seen. “I may or may not play (Wednesday),” Boozer said. “I feel close. If not Wednesday, then I’m hoping this weekend for sure.” Speaking before Boozer, coach Tom Thibodeau offered an uncharacteristically strong prognosis for Boozer making his debut against the Magic. The Bulls travel to face the Celtics on Friday and play the Rockets at home Saturday. “He looked good, said he didn’t have any problems,” Thibodeau said. “His conditioning is really good and he did a good job in practice. … I can’t foresee any problems at this point. As long as he’s comfortable, we’re ready to get started.” This is for certain: Whenever Boozer returns from the fractured fifth metacarpal on his right hand, his presence makes the Bulls a better team. Just think of the possibilities with Derrick Rose. Along those lines, Boozer ensured his return will keep the Bulls a harmonious team too. “It’s definitely (Rose’s) team,” Boozer said. “He’s proved that. He’s earned that. He worked his butt off. You see how great of a season he’s had already.” — Chicago Tribune

Tuesday will mark eight weeks since Carlos Boozer had surgery on his broken right hand, and that’s the optimal target date the power forward said the team doctors have established for him to begin participating in contact drills during practice. But even if Boozer practices  with the Bulls on Tuesday — which isn’t a sure thing — it’s doubtful he’ll be ready to play against the Magic. Boozer will need several practices to develop a rhythm after being idle for so long. It’s likely he won’t see any game action until at least Dec. 10 or 11 when the Bulls host the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves. In that scenario, Boozer would have four practices under his belt before playing in a game. The multiple practice sessions also will allow Boozer to get used to a protective guard on his hand. — Chicago Sun-Times

The Bulls have their two-week travel itinerary mapped out in great detail, from their team meetings to their buffet breakfasts following practices. But one unscheduled occurrence on Monday could affect the availability of guard Kyle Korver. He was scheduled to undergo an MRI on his sore right knee. Coach Tom Thibodeau said he was not clear just how or when Korver suffered the knee injury. “Something bumped in a game (Saturday night against Washington),” he said. — Chicago Tribune