Sunday night at Staples Center would have been Kobe Bryant's homecoming, had the rumors that peaked a few weeks ago become reality and the Lakers had dealt Bryant to the Chicago Bulls for a multi-player package.

Bryant outscored the Bulls, 9-2 in the first 7 minutes 13 seconds of the third quarter.

Bryant finished with a team-high 18 points and had three assists and five rebounds in 32 minutes as the Lakers rode a 61-point second half to a 106-78 win over the Luol Deng-less Bulls. Bryant left Staples Center as he entered it -- a member of the Lakers for now and for the foreseeable future.

He still may be dealt at the trade deadline or next summer, but the immediate chances of a deal between the Lakers and the Bulls have evaporated.

"It's over. It's dead. Dead story," Bulls Coach Scott Skiles said.