An urgent message is being sent to the Bulls:

Before signing free-agent power forwards Malik Allen and Darius Songaila, consider adding a seven-time NBA rebounding leader instead.

Of course, there?s a catch. The available player is 44-year-old Dennis Rodman, whose last appearance in an NBA uniform came in 2000 when he spent 12 games with the Dallas Mavericks.

Then again, Rodman was wildly popular here when he played for the Bulls? three championship teams from 1995-98, as much for his off-court antics as his ferocious defense.

?He would love to come back,? said Rodman?s agent, Darren Prince. ?He loves the people of Chicago, loves the city. I?m sure the fans would embrace him. All we?ve asked is to come in for a tryout.?

Bulls general manager John Paxson acknowledged that he has taken a few phone calls from Prince, but he chose not to comment on Rodman. It?s safe to say the 6-foot-8 showman does not rank high on the Bulls? wish list.

?I?m in constant contact with several GMs, but no one has pulled the trigger yet,? Prince said. ?His top choices are L.A. and Chicago. He would love to reunite with Phil Jackson (on the Lakers), and he would love to go back to Chicago. Both cities love him.?