First, there was this from Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski.

While Chicago’s trying hard to move Rip Hamilton to lower payroll, Bulls aren’t inclined to include draft pick to sweeten deal, sources say.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) February 21, 2013

Feb 11, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls shooting guard Richard Hamilton (left) drives into San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Danny Green during the first quarter at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

In some ways, this is actually a good thing. Much better that the Bulls keep Hamilton and either buy him out or try to trade him than give up an actual asset for him. It hurts Jerry Reinsdorf’s wallet, but screw him. The fact is that nobody really wants to take Rip, even without giving anything up for him.

Then, a few minutes later, we heard this from Ken Berger of CBS.

Bulls have cooled on J.J. Redick. Due to luxury tax, Chicago unlikely to pay him as a free agent this summer so reluctant to give up pick.

— Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) February 21, 2013

February 10, 2013; Orlando FL, USA; Orlando Magic shooting guard J.J. Redick (7) shoots a three pointer against the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 110-104. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

This just makes me want to slam my face into a wall for a few hours. Let’s work through the logic, here.

1. The Bulls would like to have J.J. Redick on their team this season.
2. They attempted to trade for him, but discovered getting someone actually good would require them to give up a draft pick, which they won’t do.
3. They decided that having an actual good player on their team would be too expensive going forward, so they wouldn’t re-sign him.

It seriously boggles the mind. The Bulls could easily put together a Hamilton and Marco Belinelli package, sweeten it with a first-rounder — or possibly the pick the Bulls acquired from Charlotte in the Tyrus Thomas trade a few years ago — and get Redick, who is basically perfect for this team, by the way. But they won’t do it, and not because they don’t recognize that Redick would help them, but because he would ruin their precious “flexibility” going forward.

At this point, I don’t even get mad. I’m just sad, now.

OK, I’m also a little mad. OK, a lot mad. Would it be too much to ask for at least some effort from the front office?

Now, you may well be saying to yourself, “Why do I care? And isn’t this a Chicago Bulls blog?” To which I say, “Touché.” However, there is a Bulls angle here. And it starts with Richard “Rip” Hamilton.

Feb 4, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Richard Hamilton (32) wears a protective mask during a game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Chicago 111-101. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Of the three teams involved, two of them stood as potential candidates for a Rip Hamilton salary dump. Both the Rockets and Suns had enough cap space to absorb Rip’s deal without sending anything back. However, after taking on Marcus Morris and his approximately $2 million cap figure, that is no longer the case for Phoenix. Also, they have to dump someone to take on Morris, and would therefore have to dump another player to take on Rip.

The Rockets, however, would still be an option, at least financially. But Houston seems to be A) building for the future and B) set on the wing anyway. The Bulls would likely have to give up an asset of some sort to facilitate a deal, so any Rip trade pretty much comes down to exactly how much Jerry Reinsdorf feels like avoiding the luxury tax.

Of course, if someone is willing to take on Carlos Boozer and his gargantuan contract, then forget we said anything.