John Paxson isn't afraid to state the obvious, which is one way he differentiates himself from Jerry Krause. If Krause were asked the day after the NBA lottery if he would consider trading his pick, he would have said, "I don't know.''

Paxson admits he will consider dealing the No. 7 selection, awarded to the Bulls on Thursday in Secaucus, N.J., and his candor has fueled a firestorm of trade rumors that assumes the draft pick is as good as gone.

Not so fast.

Paxson has identified his offseason goal as acquiring an athletic, defensive-minded small forward, preferably a veteran. And there will be a few to choose from this offseason in free agency. Scottie Pippen and James Posey are two the Bulls will consider very seriously.