<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">As expected, the Bulls on Monday matched the contract offer Toronto had extended to guard Chris Duhon, a big step in the Bulls' efforts to bring back restricted free agents who were major players in their 47 victories last season. Meeting with restricted free agent Tyson Chandler is the next pressing matter for Bulls general manager John Paxson. He and club Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf are scheduled to meet with the 7-foot-1-inch center and agent Jeff Schwartz on Tuesday in California. "It's important because this has gone on for quite a while," Paxson said of negotiations with Chandler's camp. "The thing that can get lost in translation is our commitment to him?how much we want him back here." Paxson and Chandler have spoken by phone but haven't had face-to-face contact because Chandler has spent the off-season in his native California. Paxson's trip, therefore, is essential to foster dialogue. Reinsdorf is on the West Coast for business related to baseball, and his presence in negotiations with Chandler says a lot about how much the Bulls value the 22-year-old who joined them four years ago straight out of Dominguez High School in Compton, Calif. A team source said the Bulls have offered a long-term deal heavy on incentives with hopes Chandler will be compelled to produce a breakout season. In the past, Chandler has been hindered by back injuries and an inconsistent work ethic. Chandler's camp likely wants a deal similar to what the 76ers gave Samuel Dalembert, who will make more than $60 million over six years. Chandler declined to comment, and attempts to reach his agent have been unsuccessful. Chandler has the option of playing for the Bulls' qualifying offer of $6.26 million and becoming an unrestricted free agent next summer. Given his history of back injuries, it would be risky. At this point, Chandler does not have significant leverage because no other team has pursued him. Duhon forced his contract issues by getting an offer from Toronto; restricted free agent Eddy Curry visited Atlanta in July but did not get an offer. Duhon will make $2.8 million this season and a little more than $9 million over three years. He's a long way from the league minimum of $385,277 he made last season and $3 million richer than if he had agreed to Paxson's initial offer of about $6 million over three years. He said he harbors no ill will for being forced to establish a market value. "You can't take anything personal," Duhon said. "You have to understand the business side of it." The Bulls came close to landing big man Brian Grant, whom the Lakers released last week under the league's amnesty provision, but Grant on Monday was leaning heavily toward playing for Phoenix, agent Mark Bartelstein confirmed. "We were in the game," Paxson said. "The reality is we aren't at the point where we're close enough to being a championship-caliber team."</div> Source I have to give Paxson a lot of credit for his off-season so far. Earlier in the summer he revealed his to-do list and so far he's kept to it to a 'T.' His first priority was squaring away Skiles to an extension, then signing Duhon, followed by Chandler and then Curry. He's been very methodical and patient in his off-season moves and has never panicked even though his free agents opened discussions with other teams.
