Bulls general manager John Paxson said he has had no recent talks with the Grizzlies concerning a trade for Pau Gasol.

A newspaper report Wednesday suggested such talk was at ''the preliminary stages,'' which Paxson flatly denied.

''I have not had one conversation concerning Gasol,'' said Paxson, who called the story -- which floated a deal of Andres Nocioni, Joakim Noah, Chris Duhon and other considerations for the 7-foot Grizzlies forward -- ''a complete fabrication.''

The Grizzlies, who offered Gasol to the Bulls before the trade deadline last season, are very interested in Nocioni.