Chicago- Rumors abound that Charles Oakley's second stint in Chicago will be over once next week's trading deadline runs its course.

But then again, Oakley could stay with the Bulls. He'll have to endure what he has spoken out against since he arrived from Toronto along with a second-round pick for Brian Skinner.

Oakley, who has never been afraid to speak his mind, has continued to share his opinion on matters when asked. It cost him earlier this season when he criticized then-coach Tim Floyd following the Bulls' 53-point loss to Minnesota. General Manager Jerry Krause fined Oakley $50,000. It wasn't enough to hush Oakley.

"There's a lot of things in house that can be taken care of," said Oakley, a graduate of John Hay High School. "Even though things look different, there's still a lot of unnecessary nonsense going on here. I started my career here and maybe I'll have to suck it up and finish with them."

That could change by Thursday's trade deadline. The latest gossip has Oakley headed to Indiana as part of a multiple-player deal that involves the Pacers' Jalen Rose. The sticking point could depend on Oakley agreeing to waive his $7.3 million salary for the veteran's exception of $1.1 million.

Oakley said it's important at this stage of his 17-year career that he gets the opportunity to play for a contender.

But he made it clear that waiving his salary is a long shot and he's not forcing the Bulls to get rid of him.

"I didn't bring myself here," Oakley said. "A trade is up to them [management]. They can either fulfill my contract, waive me or just cut me. It's up to them. If management wants to get rid of me they can. I know I'll be somewhere next year."

Cleveland?

"I don't think so, because they still have Tyrone Hill," Oakley said.

It was reported last year that Hill and Oakley were involved in a confrontation. Oakley supposedly had an issue with Hill on a gambling debt. Oakley didn't confirm or deny those reports but he did say that he and Hill aren't the best of friends.

"I thought he was a cool brother because he's from around the way [Cincinnati] but everyone shows their true color," Oakley said. "I didn't like what he did and how he went to the NBA on what was going on between me and him. He could've been man enough to come to me. Now, I don't have anything to do with him. But it's over with. I know he's back in Cleveland, so he better walk softly," Oakley continued, with a grin.

Oakley, meanwhile, has been walking wounded for much of this season. He's missed the Bulls' last six games because of a sore wrist. He missed three games in December with right elbow tendinitis and a game earlier this month because of his sore wrist. Oakley didn't score any points and had two turnovers against Utah in his last game, Jan. 30. Oakley's averaging four points per game and he's second on the team with 273 rebounds.

Oakley has also seen reduced time during his second stint with the Bulls. He also knows at 38, his NBA time is almost over.

"I'll maybe play one or two more years," Oakley said. "I'm in the best of shape. I work out two hours per day. I don't even think about my immediate future with the Bulls because I don't have any control over that. I can't make the move. I can't trade myself. We'll see what happens."