McGrady to Wizards or Bulls?

The Rockets are in discussions with several clubs about McGrady, but sources say two of the teams near the top of their wish list are Washington and Chicago.

Nothing is imminent with either team, but there are potential deals with both clubs that Houston would be interested in pulling off.

Washington, which league executives believe is in cost-cutting mode after the Gilbert Arenas disaster, could have McGrady for a deal featuring Caron Butler and some expiring contracts, perhaps Mike Miller and Randy Foye.

Chicago, which has definite interest in McGrady, also has the combination of young talent and expiring contracts the Rockets are looking for. There is a Bulls player Houston covets, but it's not clear who that is. Since the Rockets surely realize that Derrick Rose is untradeable, logic suggests it's Joakim Noah.

A package of Brad Miller, Jerome James, both of whom have expiring contracts, and Noah would work financially, but sources say the Bulls have no desire to part with Noah.

The player the Bulls would like to move is Kirk Hinrich. He's even ahead of Tyrus Thomas on their list of players they'd love to trade. Thomas is being offered around the league as a sweetener in any Hinrich deal. But with two years, $17 million left on his contract after this season, there's not a great market for Hinrich.