Speed dial: Pax calls Jamal's agent <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">John Paxson's first day on the job included a call to Jamal Crawford's agent, Aaron Goodwin, underscoring the importance Paxson places on addressing the Bulls' point-guard situation. Paxson isn't convinced Crawford and Jay Williams can play alongside each other on a regular basis, so expect Paxson to gauge the market interest in the young point guards. And the possibility of dealing Crawford, who has been blossoming into a potential star, is likely to affect the possibility of extending Crawford's contract this year. "You have until Oct. 31 to sign him to an extension,'' Paxson said. "He's played well. "You have to find out where he's at [in contract demands]. I called [Goodwin] to introduce myself, which I'm in the process of doing with all our guys' agents.'' Crawford wants to sign a six-year extension, but Goodwin won't set financial parameters according to what other point guards make. Memphis' Jason Williams signed a deal for $43 million over six seasons, and Sacramento's Mike Bibby signed for $77 million over seven. "It's all up to Chicago,'' Goodwin said. "Jamal has played himself into a situation where there's a lot of interest. "He's showing he's one of the top guards out there. It's a good situation for Chicago if Chicago wants to step up and extend his contract, and it's a good situation for Jamal to test the free-agent market if they don't extend him.'' Crawford would become a restricted free agent after next season, meaning the Bulls would be able to match any offer. Goodwin said he's not prepared to say he's looking for a max contract. The problem facing Paxson is Eddy Curry and Tyson Chandler will be looking for max extensions after next season, and Jalen Rose already is making the max and is locked up through the 2006-07 season. Marcus Fizer also is up for an extension this year, though his demands won't be as severe. "Not everybody can be paid maximum salary,'' Paxson said. "These guys haven't tasted winning yet. They don't understand how good that feels and how special it is to be a part of a team that does win. That's why you're in a hurry to win. "That may sound like an idealistic thing, but I'm going to at least try to approach these guys in that manner.'' Having so many good, young players coming up for extensions at the same time is one of the problems with the rebuilding project Jerry Krause started. Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said he will pay the luxury tax for a championship team, but the money is going to have to come first. "What Jerry told me was it's not so much about making money, but he certainly doesn't want to lose money,'' Paxson said. "The luxury tax becomes a problem. "As he proved the last time around when this team won, he's more than willing to spend money.'' Goodwin said he's not concerned about what other players are making. "I don't represent Curry or Chandler,'' Goodwin said. "When it comes time for them to discuss their situation, that's between them and Paxson. Our negotiations are between Paxson and myself. "There aren't a lot of young point guards out there like Jamal, and at 6-6, he's getting better and better.'' Paxson also called Williams' agent, Bill Duffy, who believes Williams and Crawford can play together. Paxson isn't sure. "Two small guards, it's tough to play them together all the time,'' Paxson said. "But there are situations where it can happen. "I don't want to lump it all into one thing--can they or can't they? I do believe they can. But all the time, probably not.'' </div> Man - this brings up a ton of questions. 1. If Craw or J-Will go somewhere, where do you think that will be? (Crawford = Seattle?) 2. What kind of contract do you think Craw will get? 3. What's the deal with Eddy Curry and Tyson Chandler wanting Max deals?
crawfords natural postition is the 2 guard i think he has the talent to be a future all star the only problem is the bulls have rose and jwill is better at running the point then crawford so i think its best he goes somewhere else next season eddy curry led the league in field goal % and has shown hes ready to step his game up and take a bigger role next season..tyson chandler will be a great compliment to curry so they'll wanna lock him up also if all this talent comes together the bulls could be on top of the east in 3 years
