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 pre-draft camp. Bulls scouts were impressed by his commitment to defense in college.
PLAYER NEWS:
--F Tyrus Thomas was spotted wearing a cast on his wrist recently. The Bulls maintained that the injury was just a sprain, not a broken bone, and needed to be immobilized for just a couple weeks.
--F James Johnson and F Taj Gibson signed their rookie contracts on July 8, just before the start of summer league practice. Both players have two-year guarantees, standard for NBA rookies. Johnson is set to make $1.7 million this season, based on the rookie pay scale, while Gibson close to $1 million.
--C Aaron Gray was tendered a qualifying offer worth around $1 million. That makes the third-year pro a restricted free agent and gives the Bulls the right to match any offer from another team, but it's unclear if the 7-footer is in the team's plan for next season.
