Ronnie Brewer is the presumed starter for the Bulls at shooting guard, but he has competition for minutes at the position from Kyle Korver, Keith Bogans and C.J. Watson.

"I think that's the reason you play basketball is for competition," Brewer said following Wednesday's practice. "I think if you don't like going into camp having to compete for a job, you don't like playing basketball. I think we all take it in stride and run with it."

Chris Tomasson reports from Denver's first day of training camp where Carmelo Anthony spoke to the media.

While acknowledging that the specter of a new collective bargaining agreement is intimidating, Anthony seemed to indicate that any concern about salary will not dictate his decision-making.

"Money is money.  Money's going to be there," Anthony said. "It's about basketball."

"It's a big risk," Anthony said about the new CBA.  "At the end of the day, it's about basketball."

"It?s scary," he said about CBA negotiations.  "Of course, it's scary. There's a lot of anxiety to see what's going to happen."

Gar Forman said Monday that he's hopeful an extension for Joakim Noah can be worked out, but negotiations wouldn't necessarily affect any trade talks.

"We're hopeful we can get something done," Forman said during "Media Day" festivities at the Berto Center. "If not, it's not going to change where we're at."

Noah said he hopes details of his contract negotiations will be kept private.

A source close the the blockbuster trade talks centered around Carmelo Anthony told ESPN that the trade will have to be completed by Monday or not at all.

"It either happens by Monday or the deal falls apart," the source said.

Another source said that Anthony is warming to the idea of making a long-term commitment to the Nets, because of the team's planned move to Brooklyn in two years, but he is hoping that the Knicks or Bulls can swoop in and make a deal for him over the weekend.  

Marc Stein reports that Anthony wants to play with Amar'e Stoudemire as a Knick.

That is unlikely, however, given that the Knicks could only offer 2014 and 2016 first-round picks without involving a third team.

The Bulls are steadfast in their refusal to part with Joakim Noah.

Sources tell Yahoo! Sports that the Nuggets and Nets are attempting to put together a complicated three- or four-team trade to send Carmelo Anthony to New Jersey.

No deal is imminent but the Nets believe they are "getting there," in the words of one front-office executive, on a trade for Anthony.

League sources say Anthony is growing more comfortable with the idea of committing to the Nets long term.  Any trade would presumably be contingent on Anthony agreeing to sign a contract extension with the Nets.  

The Knicks and Bulls are Anthony's preferred destinations.

Carmelo Anthony's representatives continue to push for a trade to the Knicks, Bulls or Nets.  The Denver Post reports that "the Nuggets are working diligently to move him out of town as soon as possible."

Unwilling to include Joakim Noah, the Bulls appear out of the running to acquire Anthony.

The Nets remain in the hunt but will not part with Brook Lopez. A third team may be necessary to take Devin Harris and provide the Nuggets an adequate replacement for Anthony. Presumably Derrick Favors would be sent to Denver if such a three-way deal materializes.

The Knicks are looking for a draft pick to send to Denver, but even then, the Nuggets are not enthralled with the assets that New York can offer.

Denver owner Stan Kroenke says he does not know what will happen with the drama playing out around Anthony, but he is willing to defer to his son who is now in charge of the team.

"Oh, I don't know," Kroenke said. "I'm kind of ... that's going to be Josh's decision. He can handle it."

The Bulls and Joakim Noah remain far apart on terms of an extension of his rookie contract.

The Bulls are reportedly unwilling to include Noah in trade discussions.

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports reports that the Nuggets' new general manager Masai Ujiri has been working the phones to explore three-way trade scenarios that would send Carmelo Anthony to either the Knicks or Bulls.

Anthony's representatives are pushing Denver to deal their client before training camp opens.

"If they do, it's a self-imposed panic," one rival executive said about the possibility of the Nuggets complying with Anthony's wishes for a quick exit. "Right now, I don?t know if there's anyone strong enough there to stand up."

"I don't know if they really know what they want yet," an executive who inquired about Anthony told Yahoo! Sports.

Brian Scalabrine has agreed to a non-guaranteed contract with the Chicago Bulls, a league source told Yahoo! Sports.

Tom Thibodeau wanted Scalabrine to be part of his first season with Chicago, according to sources.

ESPN reports that in the past 72 hours, Carmelo Anthony's representatives have increased pressure on Denver to deal the superstar to either the Knicks or Bulls before training camp opens next week.

The Knicks remain Anthony's top choice but the Bulls are now firmly established as a close second.  The Nets and Rockets are also in the picture.

Some within the Denver organization favor slowing down the process, hoping that Anthony might reconsider his stance once he is back with the team on a daily basis.

The Knicks are offering either Danilo Gallinari or Anthony Randolph, but not both, along with the expiring contract of Eddy Curry.  New York may also include its 2014 first-round pick.

The Bulls appear to be unwilling to offer Joakim Noah, proposing instead a deal centered around Luol Deng, Taj Gibson and a first-round pick.

Contrary to a recent report, the Rockets are not making Kevin Martin available in their bid to acquire Anthony.