<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'></p> If the Bulls are to become a championship contender in the years to come, then top guns Luol Deng and Ben Gordon are expected to lead the way.</p> But on a day when stability was the buzzword at the Berto Center, the futures of Deng and Gordon remained on hold, as they remained far apart in contract extension talks with team management.</p> "We're not close right now," Gordon told reporters at the annual media day on Monday. "Hopefully, something will get done before the season starts. Pax (general manager John Paxson) has said all along that he wants to keep the core of guys together, so I'm definitely comfortable with that aspect."</p> "I have no idea," Deng said of the prospects for an agreement in the days ahead.</p> "Hopefully, we'll come to terms on an agreement, but that's up to Pax and my agent. I just have to focus on a good start."</p> Deng and Gordon can sign maximum five-year contracts now or opt for six-year deals as restricted free agents after the season.</p> "I've had some discussions with the representatives of Ben and Lu and obviously they haven't gone anywhere," said Paxson, who was prepared to match any offer for the two in the open market. "But that's OK. I have great confidence in both of them.</p> "They may take the attitude that they will play the season out and see where the market is next summer. That's their prerogative. I don't have a problem with that. Either way, they will play and play at a high level."</p> In a similar situation last year, Kirk Hinrich agreed to a five-year, $47.5-million contract on the eve of the regular-season opener.</p> Gordon is believed to want a five-year deal in excess of $50 million.</p> "To my knowledge, no offer has been made," Gordon said.</p> "If management wants me to give up one year, then I expect them to pay for it."</p> While uncertain futures have had adverse effects on players in the past, Deng and Gordon vowed not to alter their approaches.</p> "I'm a basketball player first, and that won't change," Gordon said. "I'll work hard and try to win every night. If something doesn't get done, I'll still play my game. If something does get done, I'll still come out and play my game and have fun."</div></p> http://www.dailysouthtown.com/sports/58358...07bulls.article</p> Good read. I really like Gordon's approach to the whole thing. Interesting how he is flipping around the "long term security" thing that Paxson through out, as the team doing a favor for the player, and flipping it around to the player doing a favor for management.</p> It seems like Gordon has yet to be part of the negotiations, and its just his agents and Pax. There is probably a lot of hyperbole being thrown around by Gordon's agents at the moment. I don't see how Paxson would flinch on signing Ben to Kevin Martin money, which it seems like he wants in that range. Once Gordon sits down, and hears the offer, and is involved in the process, I think a contract extension will be signed. It sounds like Gordon is clueless on whats going on in terms of actual dollar amounts, and his agents are probably just pushing up the value.</p>
