<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Eddy Curry received superstar treatment Thursday in Atlanta during his free-agent visit. Whether he will be a hot commodity on signing day, July 22, is the looming question for the Bulls center. The Bulls are awaiting word whether the NBA's insurance carrier will exclude coverage for Curry if is he is unable to fulfill his contract because of a heart condition. Curry has an irregular heartbeat and was sidelined for three months for tests. He resumed workouts last week after receiving clearance from a prominent Los Angeles cardiologist who concluded Curry's enlarged heart does not pose a life-threatening risk. Specialists the Bulls initially consulted, however, did not clear Curry and at least one requested Curry undergo a test to determine if he is genetically disposed to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which can be fatal. Basketball players Hank Gathers and Reggie Lewis had the condition when they collapsed and died. Those doctors' questions might be enough for the insurance carrier, Trustmark, to decide Curry's heart is too much of a liability. The company has 14 exclusions league-wide for limbs and organs deemed too great a risk. "If he's not insured by the league, it opens up a whole other thing," Bulls general manager John Paxson said. The league's policy allows the Bulls to seek coverage for Curry from another carrier if Trustmark passes, but it's not as though companies will line up eagerly to assume such a risk. The Hawks, who also are interested in the Bulls' Tyson Chandler, no doubt have the same concerns about Curry. Atlanta is likely to set Curry's market value. Cleveland agreed to contract terms with center Zydrunas Ilgauskas earlier this week, ending speculation the Cavaliers would pursue Curry. Curry did not meet with Atlanta's medical staff Thursday, according to a source close to the Hawks, and it remains unclear when he will. Although he speaks confidently about his health, it appears unanswered questions, as well as the insurance issues, will affect Curry's bottom line in his contract negotiations. A few weeks ago a league source said the Bulls will lean toward a short-term deal heavy with clauses relating to Curry's health and weight. </div> Source
