The debate already is so engaged.

One almost expected NBA commissioner David Stern to emerge Tuesday from the Berto Center and, in that voice so familiar to draft aficionados, announce the Bulls had drafted Memphis point guard Derrick Rose with the first overall pick in the NBA draft.

Instead, Bulls general manager John Paxson stepped into the sunshine and, in lieu of a needed "chill out," reminded all the draft doesn't take place until June 26.

"I know people want immediate answers," Paxson said. "That game is for everybody on the outside looking in. That's not our game. Our game is going through the process thoroughly, evaluating it the proper way, and that's what we're going to do."

Nevertheless, the game has begun — in earnest. The Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel, citing a source "familiar with the dealings," reported in its Thursday's editions that the Bulls already have conveyed a plan to draft Kansas State power forward Michael Beasley.

"No. 1 and No. 2 are booked and done," the Sun-Sentinel's source said.

Speaking earlier yesterday at a news conference, Paxson insisted the Bulls' draft process has merely begun.

"When we get the opportunity after (next week's) predraft camp (in Orlando), we need to get to know these two kids the best we can and formulate our thoughts and evaluations based on that," Paxson said. "A lot of our work will be done prior to us seeing them. There's no doubt the character of people and work ethic and commitment to winning are important."

Tuesday's stunning turn of events, in which the Bulls parlayed a 1.7 percent chance to vault from ninth to first, did narrow Paxson's focus and his staff's. For the next five weeks, it's Rose and Beasley, all the time.

Either player, both of whom Paxson has seen play personally, would address a major need for the Bulls. They long have sought a scoring big man and true floor leader.

SUPERSONICS

EX-OWNER ADDS CLAIM

Former SuperSonics owner Howard Schultz has added a third claim to a lawsuit that seeks to void the team's 2006 sale to new owners who are planning to move the Sonics to Oklahoma City.

The Starbucks Corp. chairman has amended his federal court lawsuit to allege that Clay Bennett and his Oklahoma-based partners breached their contract with Schultz and other Sonics owners by not making a realistic and full effort to find a new arena in Western Washington before applying to move the team.

On Tuesday, Schultz's lawyers added "breach of contract" to his initial claims last month of "negligent misrepresentation" and "fraudulent inducement." Schultz is seeking to void the $350 million sale so the Sonics can be sold to potential local owners instead and stay in Seattle long term.

NBA owners last month overwhelmingly approved Bennett's application to move the Sonics to his hometown of Oklahoma City, pending the outcome of a trial between the Sonics and the city of Seattle over how to reconcile the final two years remaining on the team's lease at KeyArena.

HORNETS

SCOTT WANTS TO STAY

NBA coach of the year Byron Scott, who has the right to buy out the remainder of his contract and go to the highest bidder next season, showed little interest in leaving the Hornets yesterday.

"I expect to be here," Scott said. "In my mind right now I hope to be here unless something crazy happens."

The Hornets pay Scott about $3.5 million a year and the team's majority owner, George Shinn, said he intends to make a fair extension offer that would make Scott one of the highest paid coaches in the league.

"Byron has done an outstanding job for us," Shinn said. "I'm tired of flip-flopping and firing coaches. I want somebody to stay that I like. ... I'm not going to be stupid. I'll be as fair as I can to get him to stay with us."

When Scott took over as coach after the 2003-04 season, he was the Hornets' third coach in three seasons.

ELSEWHERE

Lakers: Center Andrew Bynum underwent arthroscopic knee surgery yesterday in New York, and the Los Angeles Lakers said they expect him to make a full recovery by the start of training camp next fall. The 30-minute procedure, performed by Dr. David Altchek, consisted of removing some cartilage debris and smoothing some rough spots on the underside of Bynum's left kneecap, the team said.

Raptors: Toronto guard Anthony Parker had surgery yesterday to repair an injured extensor tendon in the middle finger of his right hand. The surgery was performed in Toronto by Dr. Brent Graham. Parker must wear a cast for three weeks before he can begin rehabilitation.