Joe Smith, who also is being courted by the 76ers, Rockets and possibly the Celtics, is the No. 1 target.

Chicago is also interested in Mikki Moore and Chris Mihm.

"We're still in dialogue with all of them," general manager John Paxson said. "Their agents are doing their jobs, assessing the market and the value for their clients. I think I understand the parameters of what they're looking for. We have parameters of our own.

"We're trying to keep in mind that we have Luol [Deng] and Ben [Gordon] as potential [contract] extensions this summer. If that doesn't happen, they're restricted [free agents next summer]. So I have to keep that long-term picture in mind. There are things I know I can and can't do. That's what I'm trying to operate under."

In other words, don't expect the Bulls to be offering anybody the full midlevel exception.