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No Rice Bulls call off deal with veteran guard
CHICAGO (AP) -- The Chicago Bulls' anticipated deal with Glen Rice fell through Wednesday after it became apparent that the free-agent forward was headed from the Lakers to the Knicks as part of a multiplayer trade involving Patrick Ewing. The Bulls reportedly were set to announce Rice's signing Wednesday but later released a statement saying they were no longer interested. A league source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the forward changed his mind. And later Wednesday, it became apparent why. Initial reports said Rice was set to sign a one-year, $7.5 million deal with the Bulls. 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 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.
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