People who know say meaningful trade talks with the Chicago Bulls about the Timberwolves' Wally Szczerbiak cooled six weeks ago when the Bulls traded Elton Brand to the Los Angeles Clippers, writes Charley Walters of the Pioneer Press.

Had Brand been offered to the Wolves in a package for Szczerbiak, the Wolves could have made a deal, and they would be without Joe Smith, whom they signed as a free agent.

Hear that, Chicago fans? Maybe the Tyson Chandler trade doesn't look so bad now?