7-1, Chandler Agrees to $63 million, 6-year Bulls Contract

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">About four years ago, then-general manager Jerry Krause put the future of the Bulls' franchise in the hands of Eddy Curry and Tyson Chandler, 18-year-old high school phenoms who were as inexperienced as they were promising.

As expected, current general manager John Paxson has followed suit?on Chandler?entrusting the 7-foot-1-inch forward/center to anchor the Bulls' frontcourt for the next six years.
Although Paxson declined to offer specifics Thursday night, a source familiar with the negotiations confirmed the sides agreed to a six-year deal worth about $63 million, a standard set by the contract Samuel Dalembert signed with Philadelphia earlier this summer. The deal becomes more lucrative if Chandler meets incentives.

"Tyson is very important to our future," Paxson said. "We think his best days are ahead of him."

The same is not so sure for Curry, whom Paxson now will focus on almost exclusively. Curry's much-publicized heart troubles either will force him to accept a short-term deal or play for the Bulls' qualifying offer of $5.14 million. The latter would make him an unrestricted free agent next year.

If not for the heart condition, Curry could have commanded millions more than Chandler. Those days are gone because Curry cannot get disability insurance to cover his contract in the event he cannot play because of a heart problem.

"Eddy's situation is going to be more difficult," Paxson said. "There are more issues."

Curry had been the team's leading scorer at 16.1 points per game until heart problems surfaced and sidelined him for the final 13 games plus the playoffs. He ranked fifth league-wide in field-goal percentage at .538.

Chandler also was productive in 2004-05, a season after a back injury limited him to 35 games. Although he wasn't a starter, Chandler played in 80 games and averaged eight points, 9.7 rebounds and 1.76 blocks. He was even better in the playoffs, averaging 11.7 points, 9.7 rebounds and 2.17 blocks.

Fans find Chandler's energy and enthusiasm on the court endearing; Bulls coaches and management love his potential.

"For what we're working for, he's a key component, a component that defensively could be special down the road," Paxson said.</div>

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