Gordon: "It Doesn't Look Like" He'll Be A Bull Next Season

[Bullsville]

I'm surprised nobody posted this yet:

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That career finds Gordon still a member of the Bulls — as of now. He's a restricted free agent. Gordon said negotiations are at a stalemate with the Bulls, and he doesn't know if he'll be back in Chicago for a fifth season.

"Right now, honestly, it doesn't look like it," Gordon said. "I think a decision is going to be made soon. ... I've had a great time here. I was fortunate enough to play on a team that made the playoffs; I led the team in scoring three of the four seasons I've been here. It's been a good experience, but we haven't been able to come to any common ground. It's just part of the business. You have to do what you have to do sometimes."

Link To Hartford Courant Story

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The "funny" thing is, he doesn't mention any options outside of being a Bull- and unless he goes to Europe, he doesn't really have any.

[TB#1]

I keep hoping both sides will compromise and reach a deal, but if not -- Ben, sign the QO and grab some pine.

[Poohdini]

I feel sorry for Gordon. If I was him I would believe I'm worth the same amount as Deng, if I was Jerry I wouldn't pay Gordon more than 8mil.

Sad situation, best of luck to him if he's not a Bull next year.

[BrooklynBulls]

Hmm. Ok, this is rather interesting. Doug just reported that no team is interested in paying Gordon what he wants. Not a one. And there's no europe option to be had, either.

So what gives? Is he going to retire?

No, but seriously, he's just in denial right now. Acceptance will come soon enough, either in the form of a QO or a short-term deal.

[Poohdini]

Can't we just give him a 2 year 21.5mil deal??

[BrooklynBulls]

Can't we just give him a 2 year 21.5mil deal??

We don't want to pay the tax. So no, we can't.

[Betta Bulleavit]

Can't we just give him a 2 year 21.5mil deal??

Gordon would never do it. Furthermore, the Bulls dont have enough space to make such a move since the money is spread over less time. I just think that Gordon is in denial at this point. I do feel that his value to this team is more significant than what most would like to think. When we are scoring 86-90 points game in and game out people will remember just what Ben Gordon was worth. Sad day. I think both sides have a valid position but they just happen to be at opposite ends of the spectrum. I will say this, the Bulls need to either sign Gordon long-term or let him walk. Im not a big fan of letting him play out the QO. Its obvious that a sign and trade isnt possible since nobody wants to pay Gordon what he wants. So options are limited and time is wasting. This roster needs to be set by month end as far as Im concerned.

[TheSchmaranz]

I think a 2 year deal (17 million or whatever to keep us under the lux. tax) would be good for both the Bulls and Gordon.

Gordon walks away in 2010, which is when EVERY team is trying to get under the cap to make a run at the big dogs. For those teams that miss out, they're gonna need to sign someone to save face. Gordon could wind up with that $80 million deal he wants then.

[TB#1]

Can't we just give him a 2 year 21.5mil deal??

I will say this, the Bulls need to either sign Gordon long-term or let him walk. Im not a big fan of letting him play out the QO.

We've already tendered the QO, so we are not in a position to "let him walk." If we wanted to withdraw the QO, we would have had to done so by July 23.

[BR0D1E86]

I really have no idea what Gordon is doing or thinking. It’s been reported that nobody in Europe has shown any interest, nobody in the NBA has any intention of paying him what he thinks he’s worth… what will it take to blow a hole in his oddly out-of-whack-with-reality sense of his own value?

[sco]

Can't we just give him a 2 year 21.5mil deal??

Gordon would never do it. Furthermore, the Bulls dont have enough space to make such a move since the money is spread over less time. I just think that Gordon is in denial at this point. I do feel that his value to this team is more significant than what most would like to think. When we are scoring 86-90 points game in and game out people will remember just what Ben Gordon was worth. Sad day. I think both sides have a valid position but they just happen to be at opposite ends of the spectrum. I will say this, the Bulls need to either sign Gordon long-term or let him walk. Im not a big fan of letting him play out the QO. Its obvious that a sign and trade isnt possible since nobody wants to pay Gordon what he wants. So options are limited and time is wasting. This roster needs to be set by month end as far as Im concerned.

I would rather win games 89-86 than lose them 110-108. Not to say that Ben is a negative, but on average the other team will score less points if we have Thabo or Kirk at the 2 spot.

While I like Ben, he is not the starting SG for this team if we want to win a championship. It remains obvious that Ben believes he is a starter, which IMO will cause friction down the road even if we do sign him. I'd rather move forward and try to find the solution at SG, starting with seeing what Thabo is all about.

[Bullsville]

Can't we just give him a 2 year 21.5mil deal??

I will say this, the Bulls need to either sign Gordon long-term or let him walk. Im not a big fan of letting him play out the QO.

We've already tendered the QO, so we are not in a position to "let him walk." If we wanted to withdraw the QO, we would have had to done so by July 23.

I wonder if Gordon would allow the Bulls to renounce the QO?

He still won't be able to get more than the MLE from anyone else, but what does he think his options are? Maybe the Grizz lose out on Josh Smith and offer him big money? I don't see it.

[AirP.]

Well, sounds like he's not in the long term plans and atleast they're not going to lock themselves into a situation just to retain talent.... like they did with Nocioni.

To not resign a talent like Gordon should mean that they have a direction they want to take the franchise and a small high scoring guard isn't in their plans.

[BrooklynBulls]

Gordon would be insane to agree to renounce the QO. There're no options left for him.

His leverage is the QO- give me a lot more than the QO, or I'll take it. The Bulls happen to be ambivalent- take it, we get to see you next to Rose for a discount- if it works, we'll pay you oodles to stay. If it doesn't, you solve the backcourt glut, and you can go sign in Miami or something.

Gordon's not understanding that his QO threat became a lot less valuable when Derrick Rose came into focus.

[SherronShabazz]

I think a 2 year deal (17 million or whatever to keep us under the lux. tax) would be good for both the Bulls and Gordon.

Gordon walks away in 2010, which is when EVERY team is trying to get under the cap to make a run at the big dogs. For those teams that miss out, they're gonna need to sign someone to save face. Gordon could wind up with that $80 million deal he wants then.

Abe Vigoda is gangsta.