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.