Bulls still face contract tough contract choices

With next season's salary cap set, the Bulls have a better idea of the parameters for contracts with Luol Deng and Ben Gordon. That does not mean a deal with either restricted free agent is close. Deng's agent, Jason Levien, said, “I'm not pessimistic yet, but I'm not optimistic” about the chances of agreeing to a long-term contract. If nothing happens, Deng and Gordon would have two choices. They could solicit offers from other teams, which the Bulls would have the right to match because both are restricted. They also could play next season on one-year qualifying offers, as seems increasingly likely, and become unrestricted free-agents in 2009. “[Deng] wants to be a part of their future if it works out, and the Bulls have indicated they wa