The Chicago Bulls and Luol Deng have agreed on a 6 year deal worth $71 million dollars. Incentives could push the contract to $80 million dollars. The dollar amount of this contract comes as a surprise considering the down year Deng and the Bulls had in 07-08. After recent front-loaded contracts signed by Kirk Hinrich and Andres Nocioni, this contract is back-loaded so the first-year salary is the lowest and helps the Bulls remain out of luxury-tax territory.

That also means about $8 million is left for the Bulls, who are still negotiating with Ben Gordon, to avoid flirting with projected luxury-tax figures for next summer. Reinsdorf has told agents he won't pay the prohibitive luxury tax for a non-championship team. Gordon is seeking a deal that is at least equal to Deng's. That's now impossible unless the Bulls enter luxury-tax territory.  If a long-term extension with Gordon isn't reached, a sign-and-trade scenario could develop or Gordon would play on his one-year tender of $6.4 million.

While I am happy that a deal has been reached with Luol Deng, I am disappointed that Ben Gordon will be short changed in the process. Ben Gordon has led the Chicago Bulls in scoring for 4 straight seasons. Gordon is the best shooter and scorer that this team has. To consider trading him could destroy the offensive chemistry of the Bulls.

Locking up Deng for 6 more seasons is a step in the right direction. Once the Gordon situation is resolved John Paxson should look to trim down the backcourt and attain some low post help. With Derrick Rose as the centerpiece, the Bulls have a very bright future.