The Bulls dominated the Wizards on Monday in Washington, producing a 105-77 victory.

Chicago has now won seven of their last eight games and the frontcourt is adapting to Joakim Noah's return from injury.

“Every second we’re out there together we’re getting better and better," said Carlos Boozer. "We talk the game throughout the course of the game. We’re able to talk to each other in a way that helps us get better while we’re on the job. If we make a mistake one time down, the next time down it’s corrected already. Every game we’re getting a little bit better. It’s fun.”

The Bulls are working the buyout pool, but Derrick Rose is confident his team has enough to win a title regardless.

"Definitely," he said after Monday morning's shootaround. "There's no point in us being in here practicing if we didn't think that we could win a championship.

"I think we have a good team. I think that we have good guys on the team that are winners, that are basketball players, that just want to play ball and win."

Tom Thibodeau echoed those sentiments when asked about the possibility of adding Rasual Butler.

"I haven't heard anything about it," he said. "That's something you'll probably have to ask Gar [Forman] and John [Paxson] about. They're in charge of that stuff, and I think if they get close on something then they'll let me know. But like I said all along, I love the team we have. I love the guys we have."

The Cavaliers and Pistons worked out a trade to send Richard Hamilton and a lottery-protected pick in 2012 to Cleveland for a $12.6 million trade exception and second round pick.

Cleveland was most interested in the pick, but would have let Hamilton play for them. The Cavaliers have several other veterans playing heavy minutes, such as Antawn Jamison and Anthony Parker, despite their rebuilding efforts.

Hamilton was not interested in playing for a last place team and sought a buyout. Hamilton likely would have signed with the Bulls after clearing waivers, sources say.

Cleveland wanted him to take $18 million in the buyout, arguing that he could secure his 2011-12 salary now when it’s possible that money wouldn’t be paid him during a lockout next season. Hamilton rejected the offer and Friday's protest against John Kuester was a consequence of the stalemate.

The Bulls strongly pursued O.J. Mayo, offering Ronnie Brewer, two first-round picks and a second-rounder to the Grizzlies, according to sources.

Memphis turned down the offer, instead going deep in talks with the Pacers on a three-team deal that would have netted them Josh McRoberts and a first-round pick.

There's a longstanding theory that Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley, who has a home in the St. Charles area, doesn't like doing business with the Bulls for competitive reasons, according to the Chicago Tribune.

The Bulls are offering multiple picks to Houston in exchange for Courtney Lee, but are still not prepared to include Omer Asik.

Lee is a favorite of Chicago head coach Tom Thibodeau and is viewed as an ideal backcourt mate for Derrick Rose.

The Celtics and Bulls continue to pursue Cleveland's Anthony Parker, but Ken Berger of CBS Sports is reporting that two teams from the Western Conference have emerged as dark horses for the swingman, according to a source.

Juwan Howard endorsed Derrick Rose for MVP of the NBA on Wednesday and Chris Bosh followed suit on Thursday.

“LeBron has won the last two [MVP awards],” said Bosh. “He is my teammate, but Derrick has had a phenomenal season. Just looking at what he has done with the team and their record, how improved they are as a team and how much improved he is as a player. I think it’s close, but I think I would give it to Derrick if I were a voter.

“He’s playing well, like he’s the best point guard in the league and the best player in the league,” Bosh continued of Rose. “He’s the most valuable player if you really think about it. If you take him out of the lineup, there is no telling what you get.”

“Derrick is having a great year,” acknowledged Dwyane Wade. “I don’t have a vote, but of course Derrick is one of the guys who is a frontrunner. He’s got to finish out this year strong. Of course, I believe LeBron is a frontrunner as well. Those two guys are the leaders of the MVP run. I’m going to be biased and choose my teammate. There’s no question about it.”

Teams continue to call the Houston Rockets in an attempt to acquire Courtney Lee.

But the asking price of GM Daryl Morey remains the inclusion of a big man.

The Bulls are amongst the teams that have been most aggressive in their pursuit of Lee, but the club has been reluctant to include big man Omer Asik.

According to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune, the Bulls want to keep Asik.

One proposed trade was Asik and Bogans for Brad Miller and Lee.

The Bulls and Celtics are amongst several teams attempting to trade for Jared Dudley, according to sources.

Dudley is a beloved player within the Suns' organization and are reluctant to trade him.