Curry seeks a sign-and-trade

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/chi-0509070293sep07,1,4059770.story?coll=chi-sportsnew-hed

Eddy Curry's agent has asked the Bulls to consider a sign-and-trade for the restricted free agent, a source familiar with the negotiations confirmed Tuesday.

Curry's agent, Leon Rose, did not respond to a message, and Bulls general manager John Paxson declined to confirm or deny the request. But Paxson acknowledged the parties are nowhere near reaching an agreement.

"We're not anywhere close to having anything done," Paxson said.

The workings of a sign-and-trade tend to be complicated. Last summer, after 34 days of negotiations, the Bulls and Knicks agreed to a sign-and-trade that sent Jamal Crawford to New York. The upside was the financial relief the Bulls received in salary-cap room.

Curry seems an unlikely candidate for a sign-and-trade, mainly because his heart condition makes such a scenario even more complex than usual.

Two months ago the league informed the Bulls that Curry's condition would be excluded from disability coverage by its insurance carrier, and since then Rose has been unable to secure a policy for the former Thornwood High star.

Without insurance, the Bulls will not make a long-term contract offer, leaving the parties at an impasse, though Paxson said talks remain amicable.

"There's nothing negative," he said.

Nevertheless, he doesn't have any meetings scheduled with Rose this week and an Oct. 1 deadline is looming. If Curry does not have a contract in place by then, and if he does not have an offer sheet from another team, his only option is to play for the Bulls' qualifying offer of $5.14 million. The latter appears most likely at this point.

Before they make a long-term commitment to Curry, Bulls officials want to see how the condition detected last spring affects his play. If he can play one season without incident, an insurance company is more likely to drop exclusions for 2006-07.

Curry has an enlarged heart and an irregular heartbeat, which forced him to miss the season's final 13 games and the playoffs. Prominent heart specialists the Bulls consulted did not clear Curry to play, but he sought the opinion of a respected cardiologist in Los Angeles and received clearance.

If he plays with the qualifying offer, Curry would need to play with the kind of intensity players exhibit during contract years to command mega-millions next summer as an unrestricted free agent--assuming his health would allow it.

Not surprising, Curry and his agent are obviously growing more anxious for some kind of deal to be done. A sign-and-trade has some merit - it would at least guarantee getting something in return, whereas the qualifying offer opens the door for his exit without compensation next year - but it's obvious the questions surrounding his health have hurt his market value so Chicago would be getting slim pickings in return.

I hope he has a chance to go to Cleveland though it's pretty far fetched.

i think the Raptors has a chance, if they want to take the risk. Curry is still a young player, and if the heart condition clears in the future, i think he's going to be a big star. Though the raptors don't have a lot to offer to Chicago, I would love to see Curry in Toronto. Atlanta is another possibility. The Hawks has the money to spend or waste(if Curry fails) as they has wasted a lot of money on so many players in the past/present.

Bender for Curry!!

hope he moves to the lakers

Atlanta seems like a place he might go to. The Hawks desperately need a C

Eddy Curry's agent has asked the Bulls to consider a sign-and-trade for the restricted free agent,

the agent isn't demanding a trade, he's just covering all the bases, especially since he can't get insurance for his client and no team has offered a guaranteed contract to his client

much ado about nothing

Atlanta seems like a place he might go to. The Hawks desperately need a C

they have a bunch of C's, but they all suck!

Friends -

Curry for Bosh

If materialized I see a new Chicago Bulls Dynasty. Yay!!! life after MJ there is

I bet anyone here , the first one that will go after Curry like there is no tommorow is Isiah . Anyways I hope he stays a Bull , he is more important to the bulls then people may think .

Friends -

Curry for Bosh

If materialized I see a new Chicago Bulls Dynasty. Yay!!! life after MJ there is

That would never happen. Sorry to burst your bubble, but Bosh will not be traded for Curry straight up. Throw in Luol Deng, Ben Gordon, Tyson Chandler, Kirk Hinrich and 5 future first round draft picks and Toronto will consider it.

That would never happen. Sorry to burst your bubble, but Bosh will not be traded for Curry straight up. Throw in Luol Deng, Ben Gordon, Tyson Chandler, Kirk Hinrich and 5 future first round draft picks and Toronto will consider it.

or.. if you're trying to make the trade through babcock, throw in othella harrinton and a coupon for $5 off at an executive car wash

I bet anyone here , the first one that will go after Curry like there is no tommorow is Isiah . Anyways I hope he stays a Bull , he is more important to the bulls then people may think .

i think u might be on to something...Eddy would fit in well in NY, but by the same token, Chicago needs for him to stay...

GM paxson was interviewed today and said that actually a multiyear contract has been offered that curry can sign (no terms disclosed of course)... the bulls would need something "they really wanted" back in a S&T though Pax doesn't see that happening.... curry may have to take the QO and thats no fault of the Bulls or eddy.. Pax wants eddy to take the DNA test

Friends -

Curry for Bosh

If materialized I see a new Chicago Bulls Dynasty. Yay!!! life after MJ there is

That would never happen. Sorry to burst your bubble, but Bosh will not be traded for Curry straight up. Throw in Luol Deng, Ben Gordon, Tyson Chandler, Kirk Hinrich and 5 future first round draft picks and Toronto will consider it.

hahaha! is that a joke? I wouldn't even give Ben Gordon for Bosh.

Toronto let Vince to go.Bosh is their MVP right now so no way they let him out.BOsh is a promising player 2 to 3 years.

Friends -

Curry for Bosh

If materialized I see a new Chicago Bulls Dynasty. Yay!!! life after MJ there is

That would never happen. Sorry to burst your bubble, but Bosh will not be traded for Curry straight up. Throw in Luol Deng, Ben Gordon, Tyson Chandler, Kirk Hinrich and 5 future first round draft picks and Toronto will consider it.

hahaha! is that a joke? I wouldn't even give Ben Gordon for Bosh.

....No, I wasn't. I purposely put in half of your roster and a shitload of draft picks because I obviously wasn't being sarcastic.

Where will Curry end up though. Which teams are needing a Centre right now ?

I still hope the Grizzlies can grab him

I still hope the Grizzlies can grab him

Lorenzen Wright and a future first may do it. Don't expect the Bulls to get equal value for Curry.

but what exactly is curry's value right now?

keep in mind the chicago GM has already stated he will not trade him for trades sake- the trade would be for someone he really wanted

since curry's agent asked Pax to consider a sign and trade, curry and his agent probably didn't like the offer Pax initally gave him. plus it was the hint for other teams to start making offers.

curry wants a mutliple year contract that's guaranteed but won't take the DNA test. who realistically is willing to the take risk? maybe someone like Zeke

teams have up until oct.1 to come up with an offer that paxson would really like. otherwise curry's taking the QO or some incentive laden contract Paxson comes up with

Tyson chandler may slide to centre slot since his shot blocking ability is great..his intimidation factor may occur..

i personally think tyson chandler is better than curry since he is taller, faster, better rebounder and shot blocker. the only problem is he needs to add like 10 or 15 pounds.

there are only a few true centers left and most teams have problems guarding them to begin with, so chandler probably could play center.

there is a rumor flying around: george, mihm, and a 1st round pick from lal for curry