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Things brewing for Bulls?

Two days into the NBA’s free-agent signing period, this much is clear about the Bulls: Nothing has happened.

No Kirk Hinrich signing. No massive offer sheet for Omer Asik. So what’s going on?

The inaction is an indication that a number of potential moves are simmering on the grill. Only time will tell if any survive.

Hinrich will end up signing with the Bulls eventually. Clearly, they’re waiting to see if other things can happen first.

There has been talk about trying to trade Kyle Korver for a draft pick, which would create a $5 million trade exception for the Bulls.

Atlanta has been mentioned as a potential destination and just gained a trade exception by sending Joe Johnson’s hefty salary to Brooklyn.

It’s difficult to predict the chances of a Korver trade happening, but here’s something to remember about trade exceptions — they give teams a chance to take on salary in a trade.

The Bulls couldn’t create a trade exception and use it to sign a free agent such as Courtney Lee or O.J. Mayo. It would have to be a sign-and-trade with something headed back to that player’s current team.

In the meantime, rumors swirled Thursday that Houston was preparing to make an all-out pitch to trade for Orlando center Dwight Howard. The Rockets planned to use the amnesty provision on power forward Luis Scola, according to reports, which could give them as much as $30 million in cap space.

Using the Brooklyn trade that didn’t go down as a model, the Magic seem to prefer draft picks and salary relief in any Howard trade. The Rockets could take on the expensive deals of Hedo Turkoglu, Jason Richardson and send young players to Orlando.

So what does all this mean for Houston’s offer sheet to Asik? Well, if the Rockets took on salary to add Howard, they could end up with the massive Year 3 luxury-tax bill meant for the Bulls.

And Asik probably assumed he was headed to Houston to be a starter. If the Rockets traded for Howard, would it change Asik’s thinking?

Once Hinrich signs, the Bulls can add free agents using only the league’s minimum salary, so they’re chasing a wide variety of players. One Bulls target, former Nets forward Gerald Green, signed a three-year deal with Indiana on Thursday.

Bulls announce summer squad:

The Bulls released their summer-league roster Thursday. The main guys are rookie guard Marquis Teague and second-year forward Jimmy Butler.

An interesting name on the list is power forward Leon Powe, who has played for the Celtics, Cavs and Grizzlies. There was talk the Bulls might sign Powe last season, but with no injuries to their big men, there was no need.

The rest of the summer players are longshots to make an NBA roster.

Former Illinois point guard Demetri McCamey, who played in Turkey last season, is on the list. Some others are Georgetown center Henry Sims and San Diego State forward Malcolm Thomas.

The Bulls will play five games at the Las Vegas summer league, starting Tuesday against Boston.

Free-agent roundup:

New names continued to hit the open market Thursday. Dallas reportedly was set to amnesty center Brendan Haywood, while Houston planned to do the same with forward Luis Scola.

Charlotte signed former Lakers guard Ramon Sessions, then renounced point guard D.J. Augustin, who quickly found a new home in Indiana.

And here’s a potential backup center if the Bulls lose Omer Asik. Former No. 1 overall pick Greg Oden reportedly changed his mind about sitting out next season to rest his knees and is now hoping to play again.

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