<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Bulls operations chief John Paxson took exception Friday to Eddy Curry's comments that the Bulls aren't living up to their word in negotiating his contract. In Friday's edition of the Sun-Times, Curry said: "They said that once I got cleared, they were going to lock me up [with a new contract], and that was going to be it. But that doesn't seem like it's going to happen. It certainly isn't happening right now. It's definitely leaving a sour taste in my mouth.'' Paxson resented the implication. Teams often wait until their restricted free agents receive offers from other teams, thereby creating a market value. Teams can match any offer made to their restricted free agent. Besides, Curry's situation is complicated by trying to find insurance for him. "This is a process, and there is a reason the system is set up the way that it is with unrestricted and restricted free agency,'' Paxson said. "Our guys are restricted, and the process will work itself out. "The only thing that I take personally is that we have bent over backwards for Eddy by trying our best to take care of him, flying him, his family and friends all over the country on private jets to make sure his problem was addressed in the most professional way possible. "To now suggest there is a 'sour taste' is wrong, and I will always stand by the way we have treated him.'' Paxson said he intends to keep Curry, as well as the Bulls' other three restricted free agents: Tyson Chandler, Chris Duhon and Jannero Pargo. Paxson met Friday with Bill Duffy, who represents Duhon. No deal is expected over the weekend. Although the Bulls are over the salary cap, they can use the NBA's mid-level exception to sign a veteran free agent. The value of that exception is about $4.9 million this year, but exactly how much the Bulls can use of that figure is uncertain at this point. "That's why we can't go out and do something with that right now,'' Paxson said. "We have to wait and see what the market is for Chris.''</div> Source
