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R6Vox
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Thank God this is over, because training camp starts tomorrow. Now the Bulls can look into possibly getting rid of Larry Hughes. If Gordon plays well this season I'm sure they'll try to give him a good deal, so this is a win-win.Happy or not, Bulls' Gordon ready to report
By K.C. Johnson | Chicago Tribune reporter
9:39 PM CDT, September 28, 2008
Despite failing for the second straight summer to reach agreement on a long-term contract extension, Bulls guard Ben Gordon confirmed Sunday he would attend training camp.
"I'll be there," Gordon wrote in a text message.
There had been speculation that Gordon might not show up Monday for media day or for the first of five days of double practice sessions beginning Tuesday because of dissatisfaction over his negotiations. But Gordon, a restricted free agent, told confidants that rocking the boat wasn't his style and he had to remain professional.
Along those lines, Gordon is expected to sign the one-year tender offer of $6.4 million by Wednesday's deadline and become an unrestricted free agent next summer. No serious sign-and-trade options have developed.
Sitting out a season or signing with a European team accomplishes little for Gordon because the Bulls would still own his rights as a restricted free agent.
Gordon rejected a five-year, $50 million extension in 2007 and, according to sources, sought close to $12 million annually last summer.
Such a salary would place the Bulls in luxury-tax territory, which several agents with players on the Bulls have said Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf isn't interested in paying.
The most the Bulls could offer Gordon without incurring the tax was a six-year, $58 million deal.
The Bulls value Gordon, and management has been complimentary of his workout commitment over the summer, which has featured nearly daily appearances at the franchise's Berto Center despite his contract uncertainty.
Gordon has been the Bulls' leading scorer for the last three seasons, and management views him as a preferred fit alongside Derrick Rose because of the No. 1 overall pick's expected ability to penetrate and create scoring opportunities for others.
In another development, former Bull Michael Ruffin is expected to attend training camp on a non-guaranteed contract.
Ruffin, a workmanlike rebounder, played 116 games with the Bulls during the dismal Tim Floyd era and played 46 games with the Bucks last season. Former general manager Jerry Krause picked Ruffin in the second round of the 1999 draft.