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 want him to be part of that future,” Levien said. “But I think there are some real hurdles to get over.” Deng and Gordon both turned down five-year extensions for $10-11 million annually last year. Now that their contracts have expired, the Bulls can offer a sixth year. The NBA last week announced the salary cap and luxury-tax threshold for 2008-09. Any team with a payroll above the tax threshold of $71.15 million must pay a dollar-for-dollar tax on the surplus. Like many owners, Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf strongly opposes paying the tax. Based on the Bulls' projected roster, they would have to limit next season's salaries for Deng and Gordon to $8.6 million each to stay below the threshold. That salary figure suggests what the Bulls could be offering as a total package. With maximum allowable raises of 10.5 percent annually, Deng and Gordon could sign for six years and $65.3 million apiece. At an average of $10.9 million a season, that would be in keeping with what the Bulls offered last year. Because Deng and Gordon did not find those terms acceptable before, it is unclear whether they would be amenable to them now.

Making deals Luol Deng and Ben Gordon are restricted free-agents. The team has until Oct. 31 to sign them to new contracts or make one-year, qualifying offers. They would become unrestricted free-agents the following year.