THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW YORK — John Salmons missed the Bulls’ game at New York on Wednesday night, with coach Vinny Del Negro saying he was told to leave the guard at the team hotel.
That would seem to indicate Chicago was close to trading Salmons, with the NBA’s deadline coming Thursday afternoon.
"I’m not at liberty to say," Del Negro said before the game. "I just got a call he’s not going to play. He’s going to be at the hotel and then I’ll find out more after the game just like everybody else."
Salmons is scheduled to make US$5.8 million next season if he doesn’t opt out of his contract. The Bulls have been hoping to clear salary to become major players in free agency during the summer.
"I would love to be with my teammate, but I understand it’s a business and it’s not up to me, it’s the people in the front office," guard Derrick Rose said after Chicago’s 115-109 victory.
The Bulls and Knicks both have been linked to Tracy McGrady, who the Houston Rockets have been exploring a trade for.
The Knicks were without Nate Robinson, who they said has flu-like symptoms and also missed Tuesday’s game in Chicago.
Media reports earlier Wednesday said New York was close to trading the backup guard to the Boston Celtics. Team president Donnie Walsh wouldn’t comment on any uncompleted deals, and an official within the league said the deal would be completed Thursday.
