CHICAGO -- Chicago and Toronto have agreed to a six-player trade that will send Jalen Rose to the Raptors for Antonio Davis, Bulls general manager John Paxson said Saturday night.

The deal is pending league approval Monday.

The Bulls will also ship Lonny Baxter and Donyell Marshall to the Raptors and get Toronto's Jerome Williams and Chris Jeffries.

"We're giving up talented players," Paxson said, adding that the presence of Davis and Williams will help the Bulls on the inside where they have young and erratic prep-to-pros Eddy Curry and Tyson Chandler.

"This is hard to do, but I think it's right for the organization right now," Paxson said. "It's been a long tough week in a lot of ways. I think we're in position now where we got a big basketball team. We've still got issues and I don't expect miracles right away, but I expect us to be a competitive team."

Paxson fired coach Bill Cartwright last Monday after Chicago lost 10 of its 14 games. Then on Friday, he named Scott Skiles to replace him. The Bulls are 4-12 overall.

Rose, a small forward in his 10th NBA season, is averaging 13.3 points -- third best on the team -- but has shot just 38 percent from the field this season. He would give Toronto, which has struggled to score points, an offensive punch. He came to the Bulls in February 2002 in a trade from the Pacers.

The 6-foot-9 Davis, averaging nine rebounds and 8.6 points, presents a veteran inside presence

"Antonio Davis can't help but be a good influence on the other guys and Jerome Williams hustles all the time. He gets up and down the floor," Skiles said.

"Sometimes you have to give good things up for things that make more sense at the time. I think we've become a more physical and tougher team that can rebound and defend better," Paxson said.

Marshall, averaging 8.7 points and six rebounds, said he got a phone call Saturday from Paxson telling him of the deal.

"I feel a little in shock right now. I kept hearing about it for a week and a half now," Marshall said.

"Usually when trade rumors go around that long, usually they're dead. I was laying at home getting ready to come into the second practice and my phone rang and it was Pax," he said.

"I've been in this league 10 years. I know it's a business, I know you gotta do what you've got to do to make this team better. I guess it was a trade that both teams felt they got something good out of it."

When asked about the trade, Raptors spokesman Jim LaBumbard said Davis and Williams wouldn't be in uniform for Saturday night's game at Miami and that they were "involved in trade talks."

"We hope to have something done in the next 48 hours," LaBumbard said. He wouldn't comment further.

The Bulls don't play until Monday night.

Veteran Scottie Pippen, who returned to Chicago this season to provide leadership, said it's tough to see Rose and Marshall depart, but it's all part of the business.

"Davis will give us some toughness inside and Williams has a lot of energy and enthusiasm," Pippen said. "We got veteran guys who know how to play the game. I think it should make us better."

DEERFIELD, Ill. (AP) Scott Skiles' reputation was forged by his feisty playing style and later by his no-nonsense, in-your-face approach during his first NBA coaching stop in Phoenix.

Can he rub off on the disappointing Chicago Bulls or will he just rub his players the wrong way?

When he took over Friday as Chicago's head coach, Skiles said it was wins and not confrontations he was seeking after nearly two years away from the sidelines.

``No question I'm a different coach than then, but I don't deviate from the core principles that I believe in, in how the game should be played,'' Skiles said.

That would be all-out effort and game-long defense, key ingredients sometimes missing during the Bulls' 4-12 start. Bill Cartwright was fired after the Bulls went 4-10 and then they lost two more games under interim coach Pete Myers.

Skiles said coaching players with big contracts and strong wills requires a mixture of techniques.

``One day it's telling them how much you like them and how happy you are and you encourage them. And other times, it's more serious than that and it can be confrontational,'' Skiles said, dressed in his new Bulls warmups after running his first practice.

``I think that is what has been put on me, is that `He's confrontational.' I think there is subtle difference there. I don't search out the confrontation, but on other hand, I'm not afraid of it either if it does occur.''

Skiles had a 116-79 record as coach of the Suns from 1999-02, and was 5-8 in the playoffs. His coaching methods created friction with some of his players, most notably Jason Kidd, before Skiles quit in February 2002. He has not coached since.

``It's going to be a feeling-out process. Scott is going to have to be patient and the guys are going to work hard and allow him to do what he has to do to make this change a positive change,'' Bulls veteran Scottie Pippen said.

``We feel his bulldog personality will carry over hopefully to the way we play,'' Jalen Rose added.

Skiles told the players he would judge them on performance, not the past.

``I told them to wipe the slate clean,'' he said.

General manager John Paxson said his expectations were for the Bulls to make the playoffs this season. But after a slow start, they collapsed on a western road trip, losing all five games and have dropped seven straight overall.

Skiles will make his Bulls coaching debut Monday at home against the Bucks.

``I know a new direction can help us,'' Paxson said. ``Scott can teach and coach and he has the fire that will serve us well. I think we got the right guy to lead us into the future.''

Prep-to-pro projects Eddy Curry and Tyson Chandler were expected to build on the progress they made at the end of last season when Chicago managed 30 wins.

But Curry has struggled at times and Chandler has been hampered by a sore back. There are also published reports of team friction over selfish play, and there has been speculation that Rose will be traded. And some of the players aren't thrilled by the selection of Skiles to replace Cartwright.

But despite all of that, Skiles said the Bulls still have time and the talent to make the playoffs _ especially in the weaker Eastern Conference _ despite their dismal start.

``I have high expectations and so should they. I will not abandon John and Bill's goal at the beginning of the season to make the playoffs,'' Skiles said. ``That is very realistic to me.''

Skiles enjoyed his time away from the game and said it gave him a new perspective on how important coaching was to his life.

``I am what I am,'' Skiles said of his coaching style. ``I have plenty of players who loved playing for me. I think these guys will, too.''

Skiles played for Milwaukee, Indiana, Orlando, Washington and Philadelphia during a gritty 10-year NBA career. He still holds the NBA record for assists in a game with 30 for Orlando against Denver on Dec. 30, 1990. He averaged 11.1 points and 6.5 assists.

He came to the NBA after a stellar college career at Michigan State.

When the Chicago Bulls next take the practice floor on Friday, this five-game trip will be in the past - thankfully - and Scott Skiles will be their coach.

Skiles, whom team sources said has reached agreement on a multi-year contract to succeed Bill Cartwright, is to be introduced at a Friday news conference.

Pete Myers was still into the game long after the Chicago Bulls were out of it.

The Bulls' interim coach drew a technical foul late in the third quarter, near the end of the Dallas Mavericks' game-turning run in their 124-98 home victory Tuesday night.

``I was frustrated because it seemed like they were getting calls we weren't getting,'' Myers said. ``I wanted the guys to know that I'll fight to the end for them.''

Myers directed the Bulls (4-11) a day after Bill Cartwright was fired. The former Chicago player also will coach Wednesday night in San Antonio, with general manager John Paxson expected to hire a replacement before the Bulls face Milwaukee at home Monday night.

In other NBA games Tuesday night, it was: New Jersey 93, Seattle 70; Sacramento 109, Memphis 89; Washington 81, Portland 80; Indiana 98, Minnesota 75; Miami 91, New Orleans 87; Milwaukee 95, Philadelphia 91; and Denver 110, Phoenix 80.

Michael Finley scored 13 of his season-high 28 points during the Mavericks' 33-15 third-quarter run. Dallas made 12 straight baskets in the scoring spree that made it 100-72.

``Once they got down, they got that `Here we go again' look on their faces,'' Finley said.

Chicago's Scottie Pippen missed the second half after bruising his left eye when he was accidentally elbowed by Dallas star Dirk Nowitzki while the two went up for a rebound.

``Our guys showed some fight in the first half. When Scottie came out, we became disorganized,'' Myers said. ``We took some bad shots that led to some easy baskets for them.''

Tyson Chandler led the Bulls with 17 points and six rebounds, and Jamal Crawford had 16 points. Chicago has lost six straight and 11 in a row against the Mavericks.

Nowitzki added 19 points and nine rebounds to help the Mavericks win their fourth straight and improve to 8-0 at home.

Nets 93, SuperSonics 70

At Seattle, Jason Kidd had a triple-double with 13 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists after missing New Jersey's previous game because of a sore left knee.

Kenyon Martin had season highs with 27 points and 14 rebounds a day after center Alonzo Mourning retired because his life-threatening kidney illness worsened.

Seattle had 25 second-half points to break the team record for fewest points in a half _ 26 set last season against Houston.

Kings 109, Grizzlies 89

At Sacramento, Calif., Peja Stojakovic scored 26 points to help the Kings beat Memphis for the eighth straight time.

Mike Bibby added 16 points and six assists in the Kings' sixth straight victory. The Kings improved to 8-0 at Arco Arena this season and have won 15 straight regular-season home games dating to last season. Pau Gasol had 21 points and 10 rebounds for Memphis.

Wizards 81, Trail Blazers 80

At Portland, Ore., Larry Hughes' driving layup with 10.4 seconds left lifted Washington.

Hughes scored 22 points for the Wizards, who played with top scorer Gilbert Arenas, sidelined by an abdominal sprain.

Zach Randolph had 24 points and 15 rebounds for Portland.

Pacers 98, Timberwolves 75

At Indianapolis, Ron Artest had 20 points, eight rebounds and five assists to help NBA-leading Indiana improve to 12-2.

Jermaine O'Neal added 17 points, nine rebounds and six blocks in the Pacers' sixth straight victory. Kevin Garnett led Minnesota with 25 points and 16 rebounds.

Heat 91, Hornets 87

At Miami, Eddie Jones and Brian Grant each hit two free throws in the final 15 seconds for the Heat.

The victory was the Heat's first over the Hornets since April 2001, breaking a seven-game regular-season losing streak.

Jones led the Heat with 25 points, and Baron Davis scored 28 points for the Hornets.

Bucks 95, 76ers 91

At Milwaukee, Michael Redd scored 26 points and rookie T.J. Ford had a season-high nine assists for the Bucks.

Allen Iverson led the 76ers with 28 points.

Nuggets 110, Suns 80

At Denver, Carmelo Anthony scored 17 points, leading seven Nuggets players in double figures.

Phoenix's Amare Stoudemire matched his season high with 25 points and had 13 rebounds.

CHICAGO (AP) Scott Skiles is game if the Chicago Bulls are.

The former Phoenix Suns coach has had ``some discussions'' with Bulls general manager John Paxson about the team's coaching vacancy, Skiles' agent, Keith Glass, said Tuesday.

``Certainly we're interested _ Scott's interested. And I think they're interested,'' Glass said.

Paxson wasn't available for comment Tuesday. But Skiles is believed to be the front-runner to replace Bill Cartwright, who was fired Monday because of the team's dismal start.

The Bulls were expected to show dramatic improvements this year _ possibly even contending for the playoffs. But instead they started 4-10 and had lost five straight going into Tuesday night's game at Dallas. Despite the seemingly endless job to rebuild the Bulls, Glass said the job interests Skiles for several reasons.

``It's one of the great jobs in the NBA. I don't know anybody that wouldn't be interested,'' Glass said. ``Plus there's so much young talent that's sprinkled with veterans. It's an opportunity to teach, to learn, to get better. It's a challenge.

``And if you watch Scott or know Scott, challenge has always kind of appealed to Scott.''

Paxson has said he would like to name a new coach within a week. Other names that have been mentioned are former Orlando coach Doc Rivers, Mike Fratello and Chicago native Isiah Thomas. But Rivers is working as a TV analyst and has already said he's not interested in coaching this season.

Skiles, 39, was 116-79 as coach of the Suns from 1999-01, and was 5-8 in the playoffs. But there reportedly was friction between him and his players, and he stepped down in February 2002. He hasn't coached since.

``I'm happy because I think that the Bulls and, specifically, John understand who Scott is,'' Glass said. ``Other people have missed that.''

Skiles, then an assistant in Phoenix, also interviewed with the Bulls in 1998, when they were looking for a replacement for Phil Jackson. But he was a long shot because then-general manager Jerry Krause had Tim Floyd in mind.

DALLAS (AP) Chicago Bulls guard Scottie Pippen left Tuesday night's game at Dallas after taking an elbow to the face.

The injury occurred with about two minutes left in the first half. Pippen was hit near his left temple by Dirk Nowitzki's elbow when both went up in anticipation of a rebound on the Chicago end of the court. There was no foul called on the play.

Pippen fell to the floor, and laid there for several minutes. He was helped up and then walked away under his own power. While he didn't appear to be bleeding, he seemed groggy as he went to the locker room.

Pippen wasn't on the bench when the Bulls returned for the second half, but there was no immediate word from team officials on his condition.

Talks broke down Saturday between Paxson and Raptors general manager Glen Grunwald, who discussed a deal sending Jalen Rose and Donyell Marshall to Toronto for Antonio Davis, Morris Peterson and Michael Bradley. Grunwald wanted to include Alvin Williams, and when Paxson refused because of Williams' health concerns, talks stopped.

But both sides still would like to get something done, and now that the media coverage of the trade possibility has subsided, talks are expected to resume.

It's believed that toughness will take the shape of Scott Skiles, expected to be named the Bulls' next coach at a news conference Friday. A deal had not been reached as of Monday night, according to a team insider, but both sides were working toward an agreement.

The Bulls have fired head coach Bill Cartwright after a little less than two years as the team's coach. And GM John Paxson said that may not be the only change.

WGN radio is reporting that Scott Skiles will be named the new head coach in the next few days. Skiles was head coach of the Phoenix Suns from 1999-2001. He posted a record of 116-79, including a 5-8 playoff record. The Suns fired Skiles after 51 games in 2001.  Pete Myers is set to take over in the interim.

"There's no question that this team has underachieved, and probably for many reasons. Is it a coaching problem? I don't think so," interim coach Pete Myers said in Dallas, where the Bulls play the Mavericks on Tuesday night.

"These kids got to tie up their shoestrings a little tighter," Myers said. "I told the guys today that it's time for you all to pull that mirror out now. We've changed coaches, now you guys are going to take the heat. Now you have to stand up."

Paxson, the Bulls Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations, said he expects to hire a new coach within the next week. He was to meet with the team Tuesday in Dallas and will then return to Chicago.

The Chicago Bulls have fired head coach Bill Cartwright after an 4-10 start.

Pete Myers will be the interim head coach and general Manager John Paxson hopes to name a full-time replacement within the next week.

"The team is underperforming and we have to find ways to win, period," Paxson said. "I am not satisfied with the team's start this season and changes have to be made. This represents the first change, but not necessarily the last."

Cartwright was 51-100 in almost two seasons as head coach. coach