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Lakers' Bryant set to face possible new employer

Nov 18, 2007 - 2:04 PM Chicago (2-6) at LA Lakers (5-3) 9:30 pm EST

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers aim for their third straight win at the Staples Center when they take on the Chicago Bulls on Sunday. Just a few weeks ago it was widely speculated that the Bulls were the frontrunners to acquire Bryant, a two-time scoring champion. But the Bulls have been unwilling to part with rising start Luol Deng.

Bryant requested to be traded in the summer and Chicago was one of the teams on his wish list. The 6-6 guard is the only player in the league with a no-trade clause in his contract.

However, since then those rumors has all but went away and Bryant's name remains out of the headlines regarding a possible move to the Bulls, who can't seem to get things on track so far this season.

Ben Gordon scored 14 of his 25 points in the first half and the Bulls never trailed during a 92-73 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday.

While Chicago tries to regain its confidence from last season, the Lakers have been more competitive.

Most recently, Lamar Odom had season highs of 25 points and 15 boards and Bryant battled through an off night as the Lakers posted a 103-91 triumph over the Detroit Pistons on Friday.

The Bulls and Lakers have split in their season series the past three campaigns.