With Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler sidelined because of an elbow injury, the team may consider pursuing free agent Ray Allen again. Talks with free agent Nate Robinson, meanwhile, reportedly are at a standstill.
Add another injury the Bulls' list. Less than a week after Chicago announced Derrick Rose's torn meniscus, the team announced Butler would miss around a month of action because of a sprained elbow.
"The Chicago Bulls announced today that an MRI of Jimmy Butler confirmed a Grade 2/3 ulnar ligament sprain and small bone impaction injury to the left elbow," read a statement released Monday on the team's website. "It is estimated that Butler may be out three to six weeks."
The loss of Butler, the Bulls' leading scorer and the league-leader in minutes played, could have Chicago reexamining Allen as an option. Reports earlier in the season indicated the Bulls were interested in the veteran free agent, but it's uncertain how far the discussions - if any - went between Allen's representatives and the team.
It's also uncertain if Allen even plans to return for his 19th season. ESPN reported the 39-year-old would begin fielding calls in January and choose a team in February, but that doesn't appear to have happened.
Chicago was also linked to Robinson last week after announcing Rose would be out until at least sometime in April. A report Thursday from RealGM's Sham Charania claimed Robinson, who's familiar with both the team's roster and coach Tom Thibodeau, and the Bulls' front office have been in contact but nothing appears imminent.
"The Chicago Bulls have held exploratory conversations with free agent guard Nate Robinson as a potential roster addition, league sources told RealGM," Charania wrote Thursday. "Discussions have yet to advance, but the Bulls were made aware Tuesday night that Robinson has a strong desire to sign with the franchise."
A report on Friday said team vice president John Paxson doesn't plan to add another guard at this time.
