The Los Angeles Lakers, Washington Wizards and Charlotte Bobcats have each engaged in preliminary trade talks with the Chicago Bulls regarding Taj Gibson, according to a source.

The Bulls reportedly did not like the possible return from any of the teams.

The Bulls could be determined to move salary to create room and pair Derrick Rose with a second superstar.

“The way that works is this, when something gets close or they think there’s something there that makes sense they’ll come to me,’’ Tom Thibodeau said. “Every conversation that they’re having I don’t know about nor do I want to know about. I think it’s important for me to be focused on the guys we do have.

The Cleveland Cavaliers were hoping to be a playoff contender this season around Kyrie Irving, but have been terribly disappointing. The Cavaliers have missed on several draft picks and Chris Grant's job as general manager is in danger.

"Kyrie Irving has been telling people privately he wants out," wrote Chad Ford.

Irving becomes eligible for a contract extension this offseason and will presumably receive a max offer from the Cavaliers. Irving could become a restricted free agent in the 2015 offseason meaning he could not leave outright until 2016.

"The Cavs are working to try to create a winning situation and culture to make him happy," wrote Ford. "Didn't report it to say he's gone. Just trying to show why the Cavs are trying hard to right the ship right now."

The Houston Rockets are discussing Francisco Garcia in trade scenarios, according to a source.

Garcia holds a player option for next season.

The Rockets also figure to continue trade talks involving Omer Asik and Jeremy Lin.

When the Phoenix Suns reached the midway point of its season and Emeka Okafor still out with a neck injury, an insurance policy began to take over payment on 80 percent of the remaining $14.4 million on his 13-14 contact.

Okafor's contract has become one of the most valuable assets for trade partners seeking significant savings.

A team dealing for Okafor would receive an insurance payout of $5.7 million – roughly $141,000 per game.

With $5 million in cap space and Okafor's contract, Ryan McDonough is looking to improve his roster for a playoff run. The Suns are currently holding the seventh seed in the Western Conference.

The Suns have expressed a willingness to acquire a veteran player on a short-term deal who wouldn't compromise their cap space.

McDonough has expressed publicly his willingness to explore using his draft picks, young assets and cap space to explore possible deals for All-Star-level players.

The Toronto Raptors remain interested in trading Kyle Lowry despite his strong play and the team's recent surge.

Lowry will be a free agent this offseason and the Raptors prefer a return on an asset they are unlikely to re-sign.

The Raptors have yet to find a team willing to meet their asking price for Lowry.

Lowry is a strong candidate for the All-Star Game.

Greg Monroe will continue to be a trade candidate ahead of the deadline as he is scheduled to become a restricted free agent.

"It does, to be honest, especially when we're still trying to get things right here, and then to kind of see that stuff. ... I just try to focus on what we're doing here.  I'm here.  If that changes, then I'll move forward.  But up until then, or if it never does, I'm just going to focus on playing these games and trying to win these games," Monroe said Wednesday.

Monroe splits time between center and power forward with the Detroit Pistons.

Monroe averages 14.3 points and 8.7 rebounds this season, his lowest since his rookie season. Monroe has adjusted to playing with Josh Smith.

"It's definitely been a change," Monroe said.  "It's still a little bit of an adjustment.  Like I've said, it was always more of an adjustment on the defensive end, guarding different kinds of players.  But offensively, it is kind of a new system we're running, obviously, with new players and coaching staff.  So it has been a little transition for me."

The New Orleans Pelicans have acquired Tyshawn Taylor and cash considerations from the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for the draft rights to Edin Bavcic.

Taylor, a second round pick by the Nets in the 2012 NBA Draft, appeared in 29 games this season for the Nets and averaged 3.9 points, 1.6 assists and 0.5 steals in 11.7 minutes per game. The Kansas product holds career averages of 2.9 points, 0.9 assists and 0.4 steals in 61 career contests.

The Brooklyn Nets have acquired Marquis Teague from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Tornike Shengelia.

Teague, selected by the Bulls in the first round (29th overall) of the 2012 NBA Draft, has played in 19 games this season, averaging 2.4 points, 1.5 assists and 1.0 rebound in 12.7 minutes per game. Over two seasons, the University of Kentucky product holds career averages of 2.1 points, 1.4 assists and 0.9 rebounds in 67 games played.

Over two seasons with Brooklyn, Shengelia posted career averages of 1.5 points and 1.0 rebound in 36 games.

Beno Udrih has requested a trade from the New York Knicks.

Udrih has been at odds with Mike Woodson for much of the season.

The Knicks will attempt to honor Udrih's request.

Udrih publicly questioned why he was the subject of criticism earlier this season.

"I kind of feel like when I do the right thing, it's not the right thing in some people's eyes. It's just tough. It's easy to point fingers when the team loses. But it comes down to, we are a team, we lose together. No matter who makes a mistake or who doesn't, it's still a team loss," Udrih said on Dec. 25. "So I think all of this stuff should be kept out of the media and not call certain people out or something. We've just got to go out there and fix it and watch video and fix it as a team."

The Boston Celtics are motivated to trade Jeff Green, according to rival executives.

One trade possibility is Green in a package to the Houston Rockets for Omer Asik.

The Rockets were close to a deal involving Asik in December, but decided to keep him until closer to the deadline. Green would give the Rockets a needed stretch power forward.