Well, it looks like things may have gotten harder for the Houston Rockets in their year-long quest to trade for Pau Gasol. The Chicago Bulls seem to have entered the fray for the big Spaniard, according to this ESPN.com report:

The Chicago Bulls are exploring avenues to acquire Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol before Thursday's trade deadline, according to sources close to the situation.

The Bulls have long hoped to wedge themselves into the trade running for Orlando Magic star Dwight Howard, but sources told ESPN.com that Howard's well-chronicled lack of interest in a trade to Chicago has prompted the Bulls to switch their focus to Gasol in advance of Thursday's 3 p.m. ET deadline.

It appears the Bulls are trying to center the trade around Carlos Boozer, but the Lakers are balking at that right now. The report mentions that Houston is still trying to acquire Gasol, but that the Rockets are unlikely to part with Kyle Lowry, which appears to be a stumbling block.

What I'm wondering is if Daryl Morey is just being wily. Could the Rockets GM be holding out Lowry till the last minute, so he acts as a sweetener to close the deal before Thursday's deadline?

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