PLAYER NEWS: --F Luol Deng told British media that he expects to play in the Bulls' Oct. 6 preseason game against Utah at London's O2 Arena. Deng missed the end of last season with a stress fracture in his right shin. The injury forced him to skip Great Britain's appearance in the European championships, but he's hoping to be full speed for the start of training camp. --C Aaron Gray has been sitting quietly as a restricted free agent most of the summer, but he is expected to be in camp. The Bulls gave the third-year center a qualifying offer worth $1 million.
--Sidney Green, a former first-round draft pick of the Bulls, has been added to the staff as a big man coach. Green has several years of college basketball coaching experience. The Bulls also brought back former guard Randy Brown this summer as a player development specialist.
MEDICAL WATCH: None.
DRAFT PICKS:
James Johnson, 6-8, F, Wake Forest (first round) -- He doesn't really fill a need, but the Bulls like his talent. An accomplished kickboxer, Johnson didn't get serious about basketball until eighth grade and showed a variety of skills during two seasons at Wake Forest.
Taj Gibson, 6-10, F, USC (first round) -- Not a great athlete, but Gibson measured 6-feet-10 with an impressive 7-4 wingspan at the NBA Pre-Draft Combine. Bulls scouts were impressed by his commitment to defense in college.
