Luol Deng

Luol Deng left in the fourth quarter of Chicago’s 132-108 loss to Utah on Tuesday night with a right calf strain.

Deng is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Wednesday.

The Bulls are already without center Joakim Noah, who is dealing with a lingering foot injury.

Deng had missed practice on Monday with the flu, but scored 14 points prior to his departure.

Real GM

Joakim Noah

The Bulls announced Wednesday that Joakim Noah will be shut down for three weeks as he battles plantar fasciitis in his left foot.

Noah has been plagued with the condition since mid-January. He has already missed 10 games and, at minimum, will now miss 10 more.

“I don’t know if you do replace him,” Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro said.

“He was the second-leading rebounder in the whole NBA. He brings a lot of energy and has a great spirit to the game for us.”

HoopsWorld

Lindsey Hunter

The Chicago Bulls announced today that the team has waived guard Lindsey Hunter.

Hunter, 39, signed with Chicago as a free agent on Nov. 13, 2008.

During his one-plus seasons with the Bulls, he played in 41 games and posted 2.1 ppg and 1.1 apg in 9.4 mpg.

Inside Hoops

Tyrus Thomas

The Chicago Bulls traded Tyrus Thomas to the Charlotte Bobcats in exchange for Ronald “Flip” Murray and Acie Law.

Chicago also received a future first round draft pick from Charlotte.

In a related move, the Bulls have released forward Chris Richard.

Inside Hoops

John Salmons

The Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks have agreed to a deal in principle that will send John Salmons to the Bucks.

Chicago will get two expiring contracts in return. Initially, sources said that the Bulls would get Kurt Thomas and Francisco Elson.

But Thursday morning, sources close to the process said that there is a “90 percent chance” the Bucks will trade Hakim Warrick and Joe Alexander instead of Thomas and Elson.

ESPN.com

Kirk Hinrich

Chicago’s top priority ahead of the deadline is clearing Kirk Hinrich, according to a report from the Daily Herald’s Mike McGraw.

The Bulls are trying to clear additional cap space for this summer.

Real GM

Jannero Pargo

Jannero Pargo is looking to be traded and the Chicago Tribune reports that the Bulls are trying to grant his request.

Pargo has not received much playing time this season and Chicago is looking for a trade partner.

The guard’s $2 million contract expires this summer.

Real GM

Tyrus Thomas

The Bulls are preparing to trade forward Tyrus Thomas prior to Thursday’s deadline and the Timberwolves could be a sleeper to land the former LSU star.

Minnesota general manager David Kahn has been researching Thomas and the team has a boatload of assets to use to acquire him. They have three first-round picks and a host of expiring contracts.

The Nuggets and Rockets have also expressed interest in Thomas.

Real GM

Luol Deng

Sources say the Bulls also are exploring interest in Luol Deng, who has four years and $51 million left after this season.

If the Bulls are able to deal both Deng and Kirk Hinrich, they would be on their way to offering two max contract slots this summer. Such a move would potentially add two superstars to the nucleus of Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah.

Deng has been healthy and has enjoyed a bounce-back season, but the Chicago front office has reevaluated the opinion it had of him before they extended his contract.

Real GM

Tyrus Thomas

Portland has joined San Antonio, Denver, Charlotte, and Sacramento in the pursuit of Tyrus Thomas, with one person familiar with the situation characterizing the Blazers as “close” to finding a workable scenario.

Rival execs have contradicted that account, saying the Bulls are telling them they need to sweeten their offers.

Chicago is seeking a quality draft pick in addition to cap relief. Denver and Charlotte have conditional 2010 second-round picks from previous trades, and Denver also could offer a second-round pick that can be swapped with the Clippers.

HoopsWorld