The Bulls selected a pair of forwards in Thursday's NBA Draft, a move that appears to place pressure on incumbent Tyrus Thomas.

Thomas has averaged just 7.7 points and 5.0 rebounds in his three-year career. Chicago traded LaMarcus Aldridge to Portland for his draft rights.

The Bulls have been knocked for what they did in the 2006 draft, but general manager Gar Forman prefers to give the team an incomplete.

"Maybe we'll give it an incomplete," Forman said Friday. "We'll say it takes three to four years to grade a draft. Tyrus has really made some strides. He did last year. And maybe he's been our most committed guy this summer. He's been in the gym 6 a.m. shooting, 10 a.m. lifting. Then he comes back at night for more skill work. I think he's really motivated to come out and have a good year."

Bulls general manager Gar Forman says that it's unlikely Joakim Noah will play in Chicago's summer league games.

"I don't think he's going to play with us, but he might practice with us a little bit," Forman said. "The French national team has talked to him about spending some time with them this summer. They actually wanted him to spend a lot of time. I don't think he's going to do that because he's very committed to what he's doing right now, as far as his work in the weight room and with his skill development. But in July, he's going to spend seven to 10 days with them and getting involved in their program with an eye toward the Olympics in 2012."

Forman added that Noah needs to work on getting stronger this summer.

"Obviously, [Noah] needs to get stronger, and he is," Forman said. "He looks good in his training."

Bulls general manager Gar Forman says that the team came "very close" to moving up in Thursday night's NBA Draft.

Sources say that Chicago was close to packaging the 16th and 26th picks for a selection in the low teens. Charlotte and Indiana, who had the 12th and 13th picks, respectively, were mentioned in rumors.

Instead, the Bulls kept both picks and used them on Wake Forest forward James Johnson and USC power forward Taj Gibson.

Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich has reportedly been telling friends that the Blazers want to trade for him.

John Canzano of the Oregonian reported the story late on Thursday night.

Hinrich has three years and roughly $26 million left on his contract.

With the Chicago Bulls targeting Gerald Henderson, their trade offer to New Jersey for the 11th overall pick has been rejected, according to a source.

Speculation is that the Pistons will make a big push to sign unrestricted free-agent Ben Gordon this off-season.  

Despite being cautious about adding salary in 2010, the Knicks will reportedly pursue Gordon as well.

The Bulls are hoping to get DeJuan Blair, B.J. Mullens and James Johnson in for a second workout prior to Thursday's draft.

Chicago has the 16th and 26th picks, and could also look to bring Earl Clark in after he canceled a workout on Sunday because of a hamstring injury.

"We've also had talks with teams about moving up, moving back," general manager Gar Forman said Monday. "And we've had talks with teams where either with one or both of our picks, we move out [of the draft]."

The Bulls have held trade talks with several teams about packaging the 16th and 26th picks into one higher selection, with two league sources insisting the target is Duke shooting guard Gerald Henderson.

"We've also had talks with teams about moving back," Gar Forman said. "And we've had talks with teams where either with one or both of our picks, we move out."

The Cavaliers are pursuing a trade of Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic for Vince Carter.

The Bulls have approached the Nets about swapping their 11th pick for Chicago's two picks at 16 and 26.  The Bulls would like to select James Johnson.  

The Nets are considering Terrence Williams with the 11th pick but could trade down if they believe that Tyler Hansbrough will be available at 16.

The Bulls will welcome 11 draft prospects this weekend, including Earl Clark, Austin Daye and Josh Shipp.

Chicago will work out five players on Saturday: Josh Heytvelt, Lawrence Kinnard, Vyacheslav Kravtsov, Leo Lyons and KC Rivers.

On Sunday, the Bulls will audition Antonio Anderson, Clark, Daye, Micah Downs, Alex Ruoff and Shipp.