Hawks back off...

[qwerty]

The delay in the signing of the new collective bargaining agreement wasn't particularly well-received by NBA general managers, who will get less rest and relaxation than normal.

 

"Unfortunately, a lot of us probably would have been gone on vacation in the first two weeks in July, but now we've got to work," Bulls general manager John Paxson said before turning serious. "It's too much time to talk to agents and for them to talk with us, but it's part of the way deals will have to get done."

 

At least as it concerns the Bulls, the delay is expected to have minimal impact, except to prolong what already has been a tedious process.

 

"Until this thing ends we won't have the exact numbers," Paxson said. "A lot of teams have tried to use their midlevel exceptions to get some players, but there are a lot of variables. Once the date is known, things will fall into place. We'll know what we can do and what's available."

 

Meanwhile, indications are the Bulls may have one fewer suitor for restricted free agents Tyson Chandler and Eddy Curry in the days ahead.

 

Atlanta has the most money to burn in the open market and is known to be interested in Chandler and Curry. However, Hawks GM Billy Knight said his team is not committed to a free-agent spree this summer.

 

"The worst-case scenario is we didn't spend the specific amount," Knight told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in its Thursday editions. "That just means that we have it for another time. It doesn't mean we failed at anything or didn't get the job done. It just means we have to keep working."

 

The Hawks have made a five-year, $70 million offer to restricted free agent Joe Johnson, but Phoenix is expected to match it.

 

"Some teams might head in that direction," Paxson said. "You don't want to spend money foolishly. You want to spend it wisely. But I would never guess what other teams might or might not do, because I don't know their economic situations."

 

Paxson has a short list of six or seven free agents, but until guard Chris Duhon comes to terms the Bulls won't know how much money they'll have available. Any amount paid to re-sign second-round draft picks such as Duhon is subtracted from the midlevel exception.

 

Duhon met with Orlando officials last week, but if the Magic opts for free-agent guard Keyon Dooling instead, as is expected, Duhon would be back at Square 1.

 

"Until we know what Chris does, we won't know what guys are or aren't in play," Paxson said. "We all do this little dance and try to stay in step with the players, but until the moratorium ends and guys start to sign contracts, a lot is still up in the air."

 

While Paxson had preliminary talks with the representatives for restricted free agents Chandler, Curry, Duhon and Jannero Pargo in recent weeks, only general terms were discussed.

 

Paxson was prepared to have the four players sign offer sheets before making firm offers to any of them.

 

"That could happen," Paxson said. "If it does we'll need to talk about market value and those types of things."

 

At the same time, Paxson is aware the delay will leave his team with fewer options in the open market.

 

For instance, the Daily Southtown reported earlier this year the Bulls were interested in free-agent center Fabricio Oberto. However, the European import is expected to sign with San Antonio.

 

In an Eastern Conference that appears to have improved markedly this summer, the lack of activity leaves the Bulls in an unenviable situation.

 

"Because we anticipate Chris will take up some of our midlevel exception, it is very difficult for us to be aggressive with other people," Paxson said.

 

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