Negotiations between the Chicago Bulls and forward Luol Deng about a long-term contract extension have hit a wall and are currently stalled CSNChicago.com has reported.
Discussions between the two camps have been ongoing since late-June and early-July in regards to keeping the All-Star small forward in Chicago beyond his final year of his contract this season. However, when the talks were revisited the Bulls opted to put those plans on hold for the time being and risk losing their All-Star forward after becoming an unrestricted free agent next summer according to sources with direct knowledge of what's transpiring.
"We were optimistic" the source said of the mentality Deng's camp had heading into the late August meeting approximately two weeks ago. "Our goal was to get an extension done this summer. If that's not what they want to do so be it.
"We're not upset Luol isn't upset. We're just looking forward to this season and next summer" continued the individual who acknowledged that Bulls management expressed how much they value the two-time All-Star even stating their desire to see him retire in a Bulls uniform. "They were willing to wait and risk losing him next summer as an unrestricted free agent."
Though the players like Miami's LeBron James and New York's Carmelo Anthony will more than likely garner the most attention next summer, if Deng were to hit the market he would have his fair share of attention as well.
If he does become a free agent next summer Deng could conceivably earn a multi-year contract in the range of a $12 million annual salary.
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