Bulls watch: LeBron house shopping?

Here's a glance at some of the latest developments as the Bulls search for a new coach and prepare to court top free agents:

Home for LeBron: The buzz Thursday was a rumor that LeBron James has been home shopping on the North Shore and might have gone to lunch with Bulls center Joakim Noah. Anything's possible, but the rumor wasn't taken seriously when league personnel gathered in Chicago for the predraft camp. If James and Noah ever did get together, it's very unlikely they would meet in public.

The truth is, James' camp has made it clear he is very interested in the Bulls. How interested, we won't know for sure until July 1.

Phil talks pay cut: Phil Jackson was asked before Game 2 of the Western Conference finals about reports the Lakers will ask him to take a pay cut from $12 million. He essentially said yes, it is true. Whether that fact pushes him toward considering a return to the Bulls remains open to interpretation.

"People are cutting costs all around the league, and coaches are obviously going to take a cut too, so they may not even want to hire me," Jackson said. "They may want to save some money."

Asked if he would accept a lower salary, Jackson responded, "Would you?" A crowd of reporters is probably the wrong place to ask that question.

Collins may be close: Both Philadelphia newspapers reported the Sixers are in final negotiations to hire Doug Collins as their head coach.