While the Bulls wait for restricted free agents Tyson Chandler, Eddy Curry, Chris Duhon and Jannero Pargo to sign offer sheets that will determine their market values, they have their sights on other players in the open market.
According to a source close to the situation, veteran Tom Gugliotta has emerged as the most likely candidate for the Bulls to sign with their midlevel exception.
Agent Richard Howell on Wednesday indicated the 35-year-old Gugliotta is interested in four of the six teams that have inquired about his client recently, but he would not elaborate further on the subject.
"I don't negotiate through the media, so I would rather not comment on any of the possibilities until a contract has been signed," Howell said. "What I will say is that Tom has every intention to play somewhere next season."
Bulls general manager John Paxson also declined to comment on the situation.
If and when Duhon re-signs, the Bulls are expected to have nearly half of their $5 million-plus midlevel exception available.
"Until the situation with our restricted free agents is resolved, we won't know exactly what we have to offer," Paxson said. "Until then, there are several possibilities that we'll consider."