According to one report, the Nets are not willing to include Brook Lopez in an attempt to trade for Carmelo Anthony. But New Jersey's offer of Devin Harris, Derek Favors and draft picks may still give the Nuggets the best pieces in return for Anthony.

No mention is made of whether Anthony would agree to sign an extension with the Nets or the other interested teams as part of a trade out of Denver. Anthony's long-term commitment figures to be a prerequisite before teams offer the Nuggets quality assets in a deal.

The Nuggets have had discussions with the Bulls that center around Luol Deng and Taj Gibson.

The Warriors may offer Stephen Curry, Andris Biedrins and draft picks but are not sure that they will make Curry available.

The Clippers are called a long shot with Chris Kaman and Eric Gordon the likely two targets whom Denver would look to acquire.

Bucks assistant coach Kelvin Sampson has no plans of leaving the team to join Tom Thibodeau's staff in Chicago.

Sampson had been linked to the final spot on Thibodeau's staff in recent days.

Gery Woelfel reports that despite the friends Sampson has in the Bulls' organization, he is content in Milwaukee.

Tom Thibodeau still has one spot left for an assistant coach on his staff with the Chicago Bulls.

The Chicago Tribune is reporting that Terry Porter, Eric Musselman and Kelvin Sampson are the finalists.

The Chicago Bulls announced today plans to unveil a bronze statue of Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen that will be displayed permanently in the United Center by the end of the 2010-11 season.

"Not only is Scottie Pippen one of the greatest players to ever wear a Bulls uniform, but he's among the best players in history of the league to play the game," said Bulls Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf. "He had a tremendous impact in bringing six world championships to Chicago and there is no better way to pay tribute to him than with a permanent statue that honors his inspirational career."

The statue will be crafted by Omri and Julie Rotblatt-Amrany of Highland Park, Ill., who also sculpted the famous Michael Jordan statue which was unveiled in January 1994 in conjunction with Jordan?s No. 23 jersey retirement.

"Words really can't express my feelings," Pippen said. "It's an unbelievable honor and truly amazing. It's something you dream of as a kid growing up, but you can never foresee those childhood fantasies becoming reality. You see statues of individuals who have done great things and made their mark on history, but as a basketball player, you never really think about arriving at this point. It's an amazing honor for the Chicago Bulls to do this for me."

Former Warriors and Kings coach Eric Musselman is a reportedly a candidate for Tom Thibodeau's staff in Chicago.

Musselman just recently signed on as the head coach of the D-League's Reno franchise.

Joakim Noah was slowed by plantar fasciitis in his left foot last season and he hinted over the weekend that the injury isn't fully healed.

"I'm very confident, but it's still something that ... it's no joke and [the injury] put a lot of things in perspective for me," Noah said.

"Injuries are something that are very serious and something that I want to limit, so I understand that it's going to be a long season this year, and I think we're going to do real special things. To do that, I know that I have to be 100 percent. I think we're going to be OK, though."

The Bulls are Noah are believed to be discussing a contract extension. Without a long-term agreement, Noah would become a restricted free agent next summer.

Michael Jordan will present Scottie Pippen for induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Friday.

Each inductee is presented by a current Hall of Famer.

"I can't think of a better person to do it," Pippen said.

"Michael is someone I shared my career with, accomplishing most of what I have accomplished thus far. He was a great teammate, teacher and admirer. I'm excited to have an opportunity to be the first person that he has presented into the Hall of Fame. I figure if anyone deserves to be on the stage with me, it's him."

Jordan and Pippen won six NBA titles together with the Bulls in the 1990s.

Joakim Noah wants a long-term deal with the Bulls and hopes to have one in place by the start of the season.

Noah says his agent, Donald Dell, has already begun discussing a possible contract extension with Chicago general manager Gar Forman.

"Of course that's the goal," Noah said. "I'm not really worried about it. I think everything's going to happen with time and at the end of the day, I'm really excited about the upcoming season."

Forman said Sunday night that it's the team's policy not to speak publicly about contract negotiations.

Noah will make $3.1 million this coming season in the fourth year of his rookie deal. He will become a restricted free agent next season unless the Bulls extend his contract.

Despite signing Keith Bogans, the Bulls are still open to dealing for Trail Blazers guard Rudy Fernandez.

Chicago has offered to absorb Fernandez's $1.25 million salary for 2010-11 with cap space in exchange for a future first-round pick, according to sources.

However, Portland believes they can do better.

It's widely assumed that the Trail Blazers want Taj Gibson back if they are to deal Fernandez to the Bulls.

Chicago isn't making Gibson available, but they are open to trading James Johnson.

The Bulls still haven't informed Tracy McGrady that they won't sign him, but the addition of Keith Bogans appears to have completely ruled out the possibility.

McGrady understands the agreement that was struck between Chicago and Bogans on Friday essentially extinguishes any hope he had of playing for the Bulls next season, according to a source close to the process.