With the NBA predraft camp in his backyard at Moody Bible Institute, Bulls operations chief John Paxson probably felt lucky not to have to travel as much as the other general managers.

But Paxson won't be staying local very long as he's headed to France, possibly as early as Sunday, to scout Pau Orthez's 6-6 swingman Mickael Pietrus, who's known as the Euro Jordan.

"One of the things I was behind in because of when I got the job [April 14] was European scouting,'' Paxson said. "So it's something I have to do.''

Pietrus, 21, is considered a Top 10 pick at the June 26 draft, and the Bulls hold the No. 7 selection. But that doesn't mean Pietrus will be playing for Paxson next season.

Not wanting to add more youth, there's a likelihood Paxson will trade the pick, and there is a market. Memphis is very high on Pietrus, who may not be on the board when the Grizzlies pick at No. 13.

The Grizzlies have someone the Bulls want in small forward Shane Battier, so there's a possibility for a deal with the Bulls sending Marcus Fizer and the No. 7 pick to Memphis for Battier and the 13th pick. Battier fits the profile of an athletic, defensive-minded small forward the Bulls have targeted this offseason. And he became expendable when Memphis traded for Mike Miller.