The Bulls are waiting to see how the Wang Zhi-Zhi situation unfolds. Sam Smith of the Chicago Tribune writes that Zhi-Zhi may have thrown a big monkey wrench into the NBA Draft.

It was reported that last week, Zhi-Zhi had missed a couple of deadlines to report to the Chinese National team. Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said they couldn?t find Zhi-Zhi even with repeated phone calls and visits to his house.

This situation may make the Chinese Government a little leery of allowing Yao Ming to play in the United States. The Houston Rockets want Ming with their first pick. If China doesn?t allow him to play here, the Rockets could pick Duke guard Jay Williams. If that happens, the Bulls may be in a predicament.

The Bulls would get the choice of the prospects: Mike Dunleavy if he stays in the draft, though he supposedly doesn't want to play for the Bulls because of all the small forwards the team has; Drew Gooden, a good looking player who doesn't quite have a position (either small forward or power forward); Caron Butler, a smallish power forward; Dujuan Wagner, a scoring guard trying to play the point; or Chris Wilcox, perhaps the best athlete, but a raw talent.

None of those players will make an immediate impact like Ming or Williams are expected to. The Bulls also have the option of picking Ming and hoping China lets him play.

Some league insiders believe Cuban is starting a misinformation campaign to scare off the top teams, see Yao drop and then scoop him up in a cheaper deal. There's also some thought that Houston could then deal with Golden State, get the No. 3 pick and perhaps next year's Warriors pick or a package of players, and take Yao at No. 3 inasmuch as the Warriors want Duke's Williams. Then the Rockets would be willing to wait for Yao, believing the Bulls cannot afford the risk of getting nothing out of this draft after four straight losing seasons.