Manu20
08-30-2005, 12:18 PM
Chandler won't jump at Bulls' offer
By Marlen Garcia
Tribune staff reporter
August 29, 2005, 11:28 PM CDT
http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/cs-050829bulls,1,4147463.story?coll=cs-bulls-headlines&ctrack=1&cset=true
The Bulls have offered Tyson Chandler a guaranteed contract in the neighborhood of Samuel Dalembert's six-year, $64 million deal with Philadelphia, which isn't a stunning development given the similarities between the two big men.
In Chandler's case, however, it doesn't seem to be enough.
A source familiar with the negotiations confirmed the offer, and it is believed the Bulls are offering incentives that could make the deal more lucrative for their 7-foot-1-inch restricted free agent.
Just how much guaranteed money Chandler wants is unclear. His agent, Jeff Schwartz, did not respond to a message left Monday afternoon.
An agreement doesn't appear imminent, but Bulls general manager John Paxson said he isn't discouraged, perhaps because he and Schwartz have a strong rapport.
"We feel we're treating Tyson fairly in this," Paxson said. "Both Jeff and I feel we've made good arguments for our sides and have brought up concerns for both of us. Both sides are operating in good faith."
Dalembert, 24, averaged 8.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.68 blocked shots a game last season. The 6-11 center shot 52.4 percent from the field and 60.1 percent from the free-throw line.
Chandler, who will be 23 in October, averaged 8 points, 9.7 rebounds and 1.76 blocked shots last season. He connected on 49.4 percent of his field goals and 67.3 percent of his free throws.
Four years since he was drafted straight out of Dominguez High in California, Chandler remains a work in progress, albeit one full of promise. That's a trait he shares with frontcourt teammate Eddy Curry.
Paxson also wants to re-sign Curry, but his negotiations with agent Leon Rose continue to be complicated by Curry's heart condition and the absence of disability insurance to cover potential problems. Paxson and Rose are scheduled to continue talks Tuesday.
The Bulls are expected to make an offer soon to Darius Songaila, a restricted free agent with Sacramento. They will use the remaining $2.2 million from their midlevel exception on Songaila, and the Kings are unlikely to match.
There still is a chance guards Jannero Pargo and Adrian Griffin will return.
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Copyright © 2005, The Chicago Tribune
By Marlen Garcia
Tribune staff reporter
August 29, 2005, 11:28 PM CDT
http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/cs-050829bulls,1,4147463.story?coll=cs-bulls-headlines&ctrack=1&cset=true
The Bulls have offered Tyson Chandler a guaranteed contract in the neighborhood of Samuel Dalembert's six-year, $64 million deal with Philadelphia, which isn't a stunning development given the similarities between the two big men.
In Chandler's case, however, it doesn't seem to be enough.
A source familiar with the negotiations confirmed the offer, and it is believed the Bulls are offering incentives that could make the deal more lucrative for their 7-foot-1-inch restricted free agent.
Just how much guaranteed money Chandler wants is unclear. His agent, Jeff Schwartz, did not respond to a message left Monday afternoon.
An agreement doesn't appear imminent, but Bulls general manager John Paxson said he isn't discouraged, perhaps because he and Schwartz have a strong rapport.
"We feel we're treating Tyson fairly in this," Paxson said. "Both Jeff and I feel we've made good arguments for our sides and have brought up concerns for both of us. Both sides are operating in good faith."
Dalembert, 24, averaged 8.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.68 blocked shots a game last season. The 6-11 center shot 52.4 percent from the field and 60.1 percent from the free-throw line.
Chandler, who will be 23 in October, averaged 8 points, 9.7 rebounds and 1.76 blocked shots last season. He connected on 49.4 percent of his field goals and 67.3 percent of his free throws.
Four years since he was drafted straight out of Dominguez High in California, Chandler remains a work in progress, albeit one full of promise. That's a trait he shares with frontcourt teammate Eddy Curry.
Paxson also wants to re-sign Curry, but his negotiations with agent Leon Rose continue to be complicated by Curry's heart condition and the absence of disability insurance to cover potential problems. Paxson and Rose are scheduled to continue talks Tuesday.
The Bulls are expected to make an offer soon to Darius Songaila, a restricted free agent with Sacramento. They will use the remaining $2.2 million from their midlevel exception on Songaila, and the Kings are unlikely to match.
There still is a chance guards Jannero Pargo and Adrian Griffin will return.
[email protected]
Copyright © 2005, The Chicago Tribune