Neither Hornacek nor Rambis a lock to join Collins

Doug Collins' broadcast duties with TNT are over and the Orlando predraft camp wrapped up on Friday.

So it should be just a matter of time before Collins and the Bulls hold a meeting -- or at least a brief phone conversation -- to finalize his return as head coach 19 years after being dismissed from the job.

There was no official announcement as of Friday evening, however. In the meantime, a team insider believes the Bulls will take their time hiring assistant coaches.

In other words, rumors that Jeff Hornacek or Kurt Rambis has been tabbed as Collins' lead assistant and eventual successor are premature at best.

A number of candidates have been mentioned as possibilities for Collins' staff. Brian James is probably a lock for one spot, considering he's one of Collins' best friends and worked with him in Detroit and Washington. James was let go by Milwaukee at the end of the season.

Former Bulls head coach Bill Cartwright, who has been working in New Jersey under Lawrence Frank, and championship-era guard Ron Harper are among the other suggestions.

The Bulls still have assistants Ron Adams and Pete Myers under contract, but multiple team sources have predicted that neither will be on the bench next season.

Shaq likes Beasley: During a visit with Mike North on WSCR 670-AM on Friday, Phoenix center Shaquille O'Neal recommended the Bulls choose Michael Beasley with the No. 1 draft pick, but for reasons that may seem surprising.

"I'm going to go with the 20 and 10 guy," O'Neal said. "Because I think Kirk Hinrich is one of the top 12 point guards in the league. He's consistent, very unselfish, can play defense and can shoot the ball.

"I think his shot is way better than Derrick Rose's shot. Derrick Rose is much faster, he's more athletic. But I think in that position, from my experience, you want a guy that really gets off the ball like Kirk does and gets everyone else involved."

Bzdelik bows out: It was already a foregone conclusion that the Bulls will look elsewhere for their head coach, but Mount Prospect native and University of Colorado coach Jeff Bzdelik did release a statement acknowledging the Bulls' interest.

"I am honored that one of the premier organizations in all of sport, the Chicago Bulls, would consider me as a candidate for their head coaching position," the statement read. "However, my staff and I remain deeply committed to re-establishing Colorado basketball as a consistent winner."