Bulls GM John Paxson is still hopeful that he can meet Dikembe Mutombo's request to play for a playoff contender.

Dikembe was acquired in a six-player trade with New York last week.  Mutombo and his agent David Falk let it be known that he wishes to play elsewhere, but he did not threaten to retire.

"I have been in contact with a few teams, but nothing is definite at all," Paxson said. "There's no pressure for us to move Dikembe, and if he stays, he can be a valuable player here. Like I've said before, I won't make a trade just to make a trade. It has to be beneficial to us."

Paxson is having discussions with the Rockets and Nuggets, respectively, about shooting guards Eric Piatkowski and Jon Barry.