The Bulls aren't locked into drafting a big man despite the obvious need, the Chicago Tribune is reporting.  Given their activity in trade talks, they could draft for another team at No. 9 if a certain player is available after the first eight selections are made.

GM John Paxson said on Monday that trade talks have been surface level thus far, although there were some indications those intensified on Tuesday. One thing is sure: Paxson isn't tipping his hand.

"There are some skilled bigs in this draft," Paxson said. "It goes back to: Are they really ready to contribute? We answer that by saying can we provide them with the right structure to be successful? I'd like to think we can do that."

The Chicago Bulls are bringing 7-footer Spencer Hawes back to Chicago on Tuesday for a second visit, two league sources said, inspiring belief that they're committed to taking him with the ninth pick.

Hawes is a back-to-the-basket center with offensive skills who complements the Bulls' vast perimeter talent. Still, it will be hard to pass up Noah if he's still available at No. 9 for Chicago. "That kid was born to play for Skiles," one Eastern Conference executive said.

Marcus Camby's agent, Rick Kaplan, said he has heard all the wild trade rumors surrounding his client that have included Indiana, Chicago, Atlanta, Washington and the Los Angeles Lakers. Kaplan, however, doesn't believe Camby will get dealt and said his client wants to remain a Nugget.

"It would really surprise me if Marcus was traded. From everything the team is saying publicly, that's not a likely option," Kaplan said. "It makes little sense to trade Marcus. While he is the most tradable commodity, he might be their most important or second most important player at a decent price. Marcus is probably their best value.

"He really doesn't want to be traded."

Although Kobe Bryant apparently would like to join the Bulls, Chicago GM John Paxson sent a message to the Lakers' superstar on Monday: Don't count on it.

Paxson said he has had no discussions with the Lakers and a deal would be difficult to complete.

"What we would have to give up -- unless that franchise would ever have a change of heart and had to do something -- I don't know how that would work," he said. "They've got one of the top, maybe the top, talents in the league. What we would have to do to get there, I don't even know what it would be. It would be significant. And then, are we better?"

In 2004, Phoenix traded the No. 7 pick to Chicago for the pick that became Jackson Vroman, a future first-round pick that became the one that went to New York (Nate Robinson) and $3 million to replace a check cut to Charlotte to take Jahidi White.

The Suns had just balked at giving Shawn Marion, Joe Johnson and the No. 7 pick to Orlando for Tracy McGrady and wanted to clear space for a free-agency push when Kobe Bryant and Nash were on the market.

The Suns said the money enabled them to sign Quentin Richardson and Steve Nash but Phoenix had assumed the player it wanted, Andre Iguodala, would not be available at No. 7. Phoenix drafted Luol Deng on behalf of Chicago but Iguodala was still on the board.

According to sources, the Bulls still are very interested in Kevin Garnett, but the offer they would put together for him now wouldn't be as good as it was last February.

Bulls GM John Paxson likely would have put together an attractive offer that included Luol Deng, Tyrus Thomas, P.J. Brown (for salary-cap purposes) and what proved to be the ninth pick in next week's draft.

Now, Deng is likely off the table entirely. Although they probably would be willing to give up Ben Gordon or Thomas, including both in a trade is unlikely.

Bulls general manager John Paxson denied an ESPN report that the Lakers have contacted the Bulls regarding a possible trade for Kobe Bryant.

While discussing Bryant?s situation on ESPNews, NBA analyst Ric Bucher said the Lakers ?have talked to the Chicago Bulls.? Reached by e-mail late Tuesday, Paxson wrote that the report was not true.

There have been rumors of a three-way trade involving Boston that would send Paul Pierce to Los Angeles, Bryant to the Bulls and unknown assets to the Celtics.

The Lakers, according to ESPN's Ric Bucher, have held preliminary trade discussions about Kobe Bryant with the Chicago Bulls.

The club has also looked into whether or not they can repair the relationship with Bryant and they have reportedly received a resounding 'no' from their 'back channel' overtures.

According to several NBA officials Gery Woelfel of the Journal Times has spoken to in the last week, Yi Jianlian camp (agent Dan Fegan) ? would love nothing more than to see Yi wind up a major market, preferably one with a significant Chinese population.

The word is that the Yi group has targeted four teams: Atlanta, Boston, Golden State and Chicago.

In an interview on ESPN's Sports Center, Ric Bucher says that Kobe Bryant remains adamant about being traded by the Lakers.  He had been hearing that the Lakers didn?t believe that he wanted to be traded and is why he arranged a meeting with Dr. Jerry Buss, according to sources.  

The three teams recently being mentioned as possible trading partners are Dallas, Phoenix and Chicago.

According to Bucher, the Bulls are exploring their options to acquire Bryant.