The contract drama between the Bulls and Ben Gordon should come to an end this week.
Brian Hanley of the Chicago Sun-Times reports Ben should make a decision in less than 72 hours.
Bulls general manager John Paxson ”anticipates” Gordon will be in camp on time.
”There is some time out there for us, but the reality is we’ve just been so far apart for so long,” Paxson said. ”We believe we’re closer to what the market is in the league. But anything can happen when there is a deadline and all that. The qualifying offer stands until Wednesday.”
A hold-out is unlikely because Gordon would be left with two options: 1) Sign with the Bulls for roughly $10 million per year (what Gordon believes is a low-ball offer), or 2) Sign with another team (but none can/will pay him more than the Bulls).
A disgruntled Gordon can be expected to play for the Bulls’ $6.4 million qualifying offer and test the free agent waters again next summer as an unrestricted free agent. Ben’s commitment is not to the Bulls – and his playing time will reflect this – making it very difficult for Gordon to prove he deserves $13 million per year.
Gordon’s best bet is to take the Bulls’ offer, but Gordon is expected to accept the qualifying offer this week. By doing this, he’s saying the (very small) possibly of making more money is more important than the security of six years, $58 million.
