A team official wouldn't confirm if the Bulls had interest in Ely in advance of the Feb. 22 trade deadline. But as John Paxson heads to league general manager meetings at this weekend's All-Star Game in Las Vegas, expect the Pau Gasol talks with Memphis to heat up.

Paxson remains reluctant to include Luol Deng or Ben Gordon in any deal for Gasol.

"The reason it would be difficult [to trade any of the young core]—and I like all our guys but realize you can't get attached to them—is they've been a part of helping change our culture," Paxson said. "The reason we've been in the playoffs two years in a row is because we were able to change the mind-set of work and accountability.

"I worry about chemistry. I worry about if I'm taking out a player or players that have helped get us to this point, am I messing too much with just the little intangible things that are very important to a team? I'm not saying we're in position [to win a championship] yet. But I have a long-term view in mind as well."

Paxson has made major trades before and sounds more conflicted than usual on this decision. Of course, that also could be bluffing.

"It might create a hole we'll be trying to fill for three or four years after this," Paxson said. "So you have to weigh how much better you can be. That's what makes it difficult. I know that whole [Gasol] scenario is out there and it's popular for people to talk about. But I'm not going to go out and make a bad deal for the Bulls, and Jerry West isn't going to make a bad deal for Memphis.

"I have a lot of respect for him. I value the names you share in those discussions. And they're all very young."