| | Associated Press
CHICAGO -- The Chicago Bulls' anticipated deal with Glen
Rice fell through Wednesday, the latest blow to the club's
rebuilding plans.
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| Rice |
"The Chicago Bulls no longer have any interest in signing free
agent Glen Rice," the team said.
The Bulls reportedly were set to announce Rice's signing
Wednesday. But a league source, speaking on condition of anonymity,
said the forward changed his mind to consider other options,
although it's not immediately clear what they are.
Initial reports said Rice was set to sign a one-year, $7.5
million deal.
David Falk, who represents Rice, was not available for comment.
Neither was Bulls general manager Jerry Krause, whose offseason
plans, with $20 million in salary cap room, have fallen far below
expectations.
Rice averaged 15.9 points last season, helping the Los Angeles
Lakers win the NBA title. But he was unhappy with his playing time
and his diminished role in the postseason. A three-time All-Star,
Rice has a career average of 20.2 points.
The Bulls were all but shut out in the free agent market this
summer, failing to land any of the available big names -- Tracy
McGrady, Eddie Jones, Tim Duncan, Grant Hill or Tim Thomas.
McGrady and Jones were wined and dined during their visits to
Chicago, taking yacht rides and throwing out ceremonial pitches at
baseball games.
After going just 30-102 in the two seasons since winning their
sixth NBA title of the 1990s, the best the Bulls have done in the
free agent market was to sign Ron Mercer and Brad Miller.
Rice was a key element in proposed three- and four-team trades that would
have sent him to the New York Knicks, but that, too, fell through. | |
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