C.J. Watson says he wants to return to the Chicago Bulls but is unsure of their future strategy – NBA News
C.J. Watson, the reserve point guard, has said that he wants to return to the Chicago Bulls next season, but is unsure of the direction the Bulls want to pursue.
Watson has a $3.2 million option for next season with the Bulls, but is unsure about the salary cap of the Chicago Bulls and whether they want to step into the luxury tax bracket.
"I had another meeting (Wednesday) with (GM) Gar (Forman), it went well. Met with (coach Tom Thibodeau). And they both explained how they want me back. Especially with the circumstances with Derrick being out for however long,
but it's the business side of basketball, and it's up to the owner (Jerry Reinsdorf) if he wants to (go into) luxury (tax) with Omer (Asik) and whoever else we bring back. So I don't know,” said Watson while appearing on “Chicago’s Game night” on ESPN 1000.
After Derrick Rose was sidelined for 8 to 12 months with a surgery to repair a torn ACL in the left knee, Watson become a key player in holding up the Bulls for the next season till the time Rose returns from his injury. He was
a backup point guard, but played well when Rose was out with injuries, raising speculation that he might return next season and start for the Bulls in the absence of Rose.
The Bulls are hoping to bring Omer Asik back for next season, who will be a restricted free agent in July. If the Bulls have to match a $5 million offer by any other team for Asik, they would be right up against the luxury tax
threshold. And then the team also needs to decide about the future of Kyle Korver and Ronnie Brewer.
Watson averaged 10 points and 4 assists last season and has time and again said that he wants to stay in the Windy City;
"It's very important. I'm comfortable here, coaches know me, GM, all that kind of stuff. It's just fun to be here. Great city, a great city to play for, a lot of tradition here, and I wouldn't want to play anywhere else,” said
Watson.
Watson underwent a procedure on both of his feet in the post season to fix the plantar fasciitis issue he had been dealing with all season long. He said that he is feeling much better now and hopes to return to playing basketball
soon.
He was also asked what he thought were the chances of the Bulls success in the next season with Rose out, and said that he was very confident the current line-up could hold on to be in contention for the playoffs till the time
Rose returns.
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