According to Chris Broussard of ESPN.com and ESPN the Magazine, Ben Gordon's camp has floated hints to front offices throughout the league that now is the time to prepare their trade offers for Gordon.

Speaking with Silvy & Carmen on ESPN Radio 1000 this morning, Broussard said Gordon is unhappy with the way he is being utilized by head coach Scott Skiles -- that in Gordon's mind, if he misses a few shots early, he finds himself riding the pine in the fourth quarter. Broussard further explained that while Gordon would certainly like to start (as it appeared he would in the preseason), his discontent is based more so on the number of minutes he gets -- and the sporadic nature of those minutes -- than on not being a starter.

The show also contacted Ben Gordon's agent, who categorically denied Broussard's story.

Riding a three-game winning streak -- with Gordon continuing to fill the instant-offense, off-the-bench role he played so adroitly last season en route to becoming the first rookie to win the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year Award -- Bulls fans have to hope this is nothing more than idle gossip. That intangible "team chemistry," among other things, keyed the Bulls' run to the playoffs last season. Consequently, you'd hate to see such a vital component to the Bulls' success dissatisfied to the point of seeking a trade.

If and when this story picks up some momentum, we'll let you know.