On the same day the Bulls provided some details on point guard Cameron Payne’s injured right foot, they acquired injury-plagued swingman Quincy Pondexter and a second-round pick from the Pelicans for a second-round pick.
The move was a salary dump by New Orleans, and Pondexter could end up being waived.
The Bulls might be moving on from Payne, as well, and a source close to the situation explained Thursday why that might be best for the -organization.
“We knew the second practice [after he was acquired] that he couldn’t play at [an NBA] level,’’ the source said. “The only reason it took two practices was because we thought maybe it was nerves in the first one.
“Any [Bulls] coach who says differently is lying. . . . We got ‘Garred’ on that one.’’
The source was referring to general manager Gar Forman, who sent Taj Gibson and Doug McDermott to the Thunder for a package that supposedly was highlighted by Payne. The front office even called Payne “the point guard of the future.’’
But Payne played in only 11 regular-season games.
According to the Bulls, Payne suffered a fracture July 18 to the same foot he broke during the 2015-16 season.
When a walking boot didn’t fix the problem, the decision was made to schedule surgery for Wednesday.
The Bulls didn’t provide a timetable for his return.
The best-case scenario for the Bulls is for Pondexter (if he even plays) to show enough during the season that he can be moved for a second-round pick.
Either way, the Bulls are heavy at guard with Payne, Pondexter, Ryan Arcidiacono, Kris Dunn, Jerian Grant and David Nwaba.
NOTES: Shawn Respert was named director of player development, and Arnold Lee was promoted to assistant athletic trainer.
• Windy City Bulls coach Nate Loenser rejoined Fred Hoiberg’s staff. Windy City assistant Charlie Henry will take over the G-League affiliate.
Follow me on Twitter @suntimes_hoops.
Email: jcowley@suntimes.com
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