The Bulls question their ability to beat the Heat in a seven-game series without making a move, according to a source.
Chicago has expressed interest in Pau Gasol and would quickly deal Carlos Boozer to the Lakers in a deal.
But the Lakers would likely want Luol Deng included, which would be a non-starter for Chicago.
The Timerwolves offered Michael Beasley to the Lakers, according to a source.
The asking price was the better first round pick owned by the Lakers in 2012.
But the Lakers reportedly don't want to pay the increase in lottery tax that acquiring Beasley would mean.
The Los Angeles Lakers have recalled Devin Ebanks from the Los Angeles D-Fenders of the NBA Development League.
Ebanks has appeared in 12 games (four starts) with the Lakers this season, averaging 2.7 points, 2.0 rebounds and 0.5 assists in 12.6 minutes.
Assigned to the D-Fenders on February 15, Ebanks averaged 18.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 32.0 minutes in three games.
Kobe Bryant will see an ear, nose and throat specialist on Tuesday.
Bryant suffered a broken nose when he was fouled hard by Dwyane Wade in the third quarter of Sunday's All-Star game.
Bryant returned to Los Angeles on Monday after complaining of headaches.
Dwight Howard's list of preferred destinations remains the Nets, Lakers and Mavericks with the Nets as the clear leader, according to a source.
One source said Howard wants to "be Kobe Bryant, not be with Kobe Bryant."
Sam Amick also cites close friends of Howard who say Bryant informed him that he would be the second or third option on the Lakers.
But one source says Howard preferred the Nets even before the Bryant conversation.
Kobe Bryant suffered a broken nose and mild concussion in Sunday's All-Star Game, according to a source.
Dwyane Wade fouled Bryant hard in the third quarter of the game.
Bryant plans to play on Wednesday against Minnesota, according to a source.
Bryant flew back to Los Angeles on Sunday evening following a CT scan.
The Magic are denying a rumor that they have reached a deal with the Lakers and Raptors involving Dwight Howard.
Howard, Hedo Turkoglu and Jameer Nelson would go to the Lakers, while the Magic would receive Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol and possibly Jose Calderon.
Alex Martins, CEO of the Magic, confirmed to the Sentinel that the rumor is wrong.
Kobe Bryant considered retirement last season because of overwhelming pain in his right knee and ankle, Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez said. Bryant eventually underwent orthokine treatment at the Center for Orthopedics and Molecular Medicine in Dusseldorf, which alleviated the chronic knee pain and gave him new optimism about his future.
Bryant "was really adamant about how great the procedure was for him," Rodriguez told reporters. "I know that he was hurting before, almost even thinking about retirement, that's how much pain he was under. And then he said after he went to Germany he felt like a 27-year-old again. I was still a little apprehensive about it and he kept staying on me about it."
Rodriguez underwent similar orthokine treatments on his right knee and left shoulder after consulting with Bryant.
"I gave him the phone number," Bryant said in December regarding his conversations with Rodriguez. "I just told him it made a huge difference for me."
LeBron James can take over a game with his scoring, but believes his skill set is more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan because of his passing ability, unselfishness and gregarious personality.
“Champions come in different shapes, sizes and forms,” James said. “Everyone always compares Kobe to Jordan and says they always have had that killer mentality. They always had that dagger, that dog. Then you look at Magic [Johnson], and people say that he was fun to play with. He was great. He always had his teammates’ back. He always got his teammates involved. He was a champion as well.
“They come in different shapes and sizes and forms and different colors as well. For me, I see myself on the side of the Magic range where I love my teammates, love being around them. I want them to be happy as well. At the same time, dominate the game, as well. I got a long way to go still to get to [Jordan’s and Bryant’s] levels to get multiple championships. Hopefully, I can get there someday.”
The Magic are not interested in trading Dwight Howard to the Lakers for Andrew Bynum, according to one source that spoke with Peter Vecsey.
“I can tell you for a fact the Lakers offered Andrew Bynum and the Magic do not want him,” said a Western Conference executive.
Several insiders believe Howard will remain in Orlando for the remainder of the season.
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