Bulls deal Curry for unknown return-Associated Press

 

 

DEERFIELD, Ill. -- The Bulls dealt center Eddy Curry to the New York Knicks on Monday, ending a contentious negotiation in which Chicago insisted the restricted free agent take a DNA test over a heart problem.

 

In making the announcement, an obviously frustrated Bulls general manager John Paxson did not specify what Chicago got in return and he did not field questions.

 

"We will have an announcement tomorrow morning," Bulls public relations director Sebrina Brewster said Monday night. "All we can say right now is we traded Eddy to the Knicks."

 

Knicks spokesman Jonathan Supranowitz said the team declined comment on Paxson's announcement.

 

The Bulls had insisted that Curry take a DNA test to determine whether he's susceptible to a potentially fatal heart problem. Curry, who missed the final 13 games of the regular season and the playoffs after experiencing an irregular heartbeat, balked, saying it violated his privacy.

 

"I would never put a player on the floor in a Chicago Bulls uniform if I didn't do everything in my power to find out all the information that was available," Paxson said. "You can debate genetic testing 'til you're blue in the face. But from what I know, from what I've learned over the last six months, that test could have helped us determine the best course of action."

 

Curry, drafted right out of high school, averaged a career-high 16.1 points in his fourth NBA season.

 

The standoff stemmed from a benign arrhythmia that caused Curry to miss the final 13 games of the regular season and the playoffs.

 

Several prominent cardiologists cleared Curry to play, but Barry Maron, a world-renowned specialist in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, suggested the DNA test.

 

Paxson has said he understands the privacy issues involved but insisted the Bulls do not have an ulterior motive; they simply do not want a situation similar to those of former Boston Celtics guard Reggie Lewis or Loyola Marymount star Hank Gathers -- players with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy who collapsed and died.

 

Paxson, speaking during the team's media day, told reporters the Bulls had offered Curry $400,000 annually for the next 50 years if he failed the genetic test.

 

"So he would have an above-average lifestyle that would put him in a position that most other people aren't in," Paxson said. "Our intention through that whole process was to show him that we did care about him and that we were concerned about his well-being."

 

Curry's agent Leon Rose did not return calls seeking comment Monday.

 

Paxson said he resented insinuations that the Bulls were on a sort of witch hunt, trying to find information on Curry.

 

The general manager started by asking reporters to "let me ramble a minute." After a long pause, he said, "This has been about as uncomfortable and unusual a situation I could ever imagine. We've attempted from Day 1 to do the right thing, and I'm absolutely confident that we have in every way we went about it. And in a lot of ways we've met resistance in trying to gather all the information we feel we need."

 

About three minutes later, Paxson said, "From a basketball standpoint, I understand what I'm doing. But I have an obligation to this organization and the people I work for to do the right thing. And I did the right thing. That's all I've got to say."

 

Then, he walked away from the table.

 

That Curry and the Bulls parted was not shocking, given the tone of the negotiations.

 

Curry played a major role as the Bulls won 47 games and reached the playoffs for the first time since 1998 -- when Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen led them to their sixth NBA title.

 

"It's tough," said power forward Tyson Chandler, who re-signed with the Bulls for six years during the offseason. "I'm sad to see him go."

 

ESPN

He wasn't going to play in a Bulls uniform ever again anyway. Pax isn't going to put a guy who could drop dead on the court.. I hate seeing Eddy go but it had to be done. Time to move on.

Well Isiah is a fool, so he won't make Eddy take any further tests......I just hope Eddy doesn't turn into Hank Gathers.

 

Eddy being gone is a big loss, and it will be interesting to see what the Bulls got in this deal. But Pax and Skiles know what they are doing, and the team has lots of other talent, so they will survive.

 

Also, that 400 k for 50 years offer by the Bulls was very classy. As much as I don't like Reinsdorf at times, he really tries to help people in tough spots that were in his organization out, IE with Curry here and with Jay Williams after his motorcycle accident.

Antonio Davis is also in the deal and The Bulls will get Tim Thomas, Michael Sweetney, and Jermaine Jackson. And a bunch of picks.

I wonder if the Knicks will have to take out some ginormous liability policy on him in case the worst does happen.

I wonder if the Knicks will have to take out some ginormous liability policy on him in case the worst does happen.

 

No one will insure him.

 

 

Here's a quote from a previous article:

"I've seen this movie before," he said. "Eddy Curry and his family and his agent do not believe he can drop dead and die. You know what? He can drop dead and die. It goes just like that.

 

"If I'm the team, let the insurance be your guide," Stanley said. "The insurance won't insure it, that should tell you something. They've got the biggest group of risk managers.

 

"Now maybe they're wrong," he added. "But if you lose the bet, you don't just lose the player. The player dies."

I guess the Bull figuered they needed to get something in return. I guess if Sweetney turns into a good player at the 4 and Chandler is the 5 then they did well. If not, I don't really know how this benefits them unless the contracts they received will be up soon and they get salary cap room. Classy move though with the 400K for the 50 years.

 

I like the move by Isiah. He moved dead salary in Thomas, who has never lived up to his hype. While Sweetney has upside, Curry has more and could team very nicely with Channing Frye, who is sort of like Tyson Chandler. Good upside in the deal for the Knicks.

I guess the Bull figuered they needed to get something in return. I guess if Sweetney turns into a good player at the 4 and Chandler is the 5 then they did well. If not, I don't really know how this benefits them unless the contracts they received will be up soon and they get salary cap room. Classy move though with the 400K for the 50 years.

 

I like the move by Isiah. He moved dead salary in Thomas, who has never lived up to his hype. While Sweetney has upside, Curry has more and could team very nicely with Channing Frye, who is sort of like Tyson Chandler. Good upside in the deal for the Knicks.

 

 

I think Zeke gave up way too much to get a player that no other team would touch...he had leverage in the negotiations, and he didn't exactly use it.

 

While Thomas may not be great, he does have an expiring contract (which is like gold in the NBA) and Sweetney is a solid to above average low-post player. At the very least, the Bulls got back two quality pieces for a massive question mark, not to mention, the rumored picks...

I guess the Bull figuered they needed to get something in return. I guess if Sweetney turns into a good player at the 4 and Chandler is the 5 then they did well. If not, I don't really know how this benefits them unless the contracts they received will be up soon and they get salary cap room. Classy move though with the 400K for the 50 years.

 

I like the move by Isiah. He moved dead salary in Thomas, who has never lived up to his hype. While Sweetney has upside, Curry has more and could team very nicely with Channing Frye, who is sort of like Tyson Chandler. Good upside in the deal for the Knicks.

 

 

I think Zeke gave up way too much to get a player that no other team would touch...he had leverage in the negotiations, and he didn't exactly use it.

 

While Thomas may not be great, he does have an expiring contract (which is like gold in the NBA) and Sweetney is a solid to above average low-post player. At the very least, the Bulls got back two quality pieces for a massive question mark, not to mention, the rumored picks...

 

Thats what I figuered. Now it makes more sense from the other end as well. Although, I do believe Antonio Davis is making a similar salary and his contract is up at the years end as well.

Yea, AD and Tim Thomas have the same contracts, for the most part.

As much as a liability as he is, I hate to see him go... The Bulls had a great season last year and I hate to see them dismantle the team like that... If it weren't for the injuries last year I could see the Bulls going much farther than they did

According to the NY Times it's Curry, Davis, and a future pick for Thomas, Sweetney, Jackson, and this year's #1

As much as a liability as he is, I hate to see him go... The Bulls had a great season last year and I hate to see them dismantle the team like that... If it weren't for the injuries last year I could see the Bulls going much farther than they did

 

It's not a dismantling at all for them. Curry was a good shooter last season, but a horrible rebounder for his position. Thomas isn't very good, but Sweetney is a very good, young, shooter and offensive and defensive rebounder, and gets to the line a ton.

According to the NY Times it's Curry, Davis, and a future pick for Thomas, Sweetney, Jackson, and this year's #1

 

Thanks for that.

 

I could see it being in the 8-15 range.

According to the NY Times it's Curry, Davis, and a future pick for Thomas, Sweetney, Jackson, and this year's #1

 

Thanks for that.

 

I could see it being in the 8-15 range.

 

Actually, I've heard conflicting reports from different sources saying that it could be the pick we received from San Antonio for Nazr Mohammed -- and that would probably end up being a very late 1st rounder.

According to the NY Times it's Curry, Davis, and a future pick for Thomas, Sweetney, Jackson, and this year's #1

 

Thanks for that.

 

I could see it being in the 8-15 range.

 

Actually, I've heard conflicting reports from different sources saying that it could be the pick we received from San Antonio for Nazr Mohammed -- and that would probably end up being a very late 1st rounder.

Ouch, as in the last pick.

can isaiah make anymore stupid moves?

 

 

i mean its a good move if curry doesnt drop dead.....

 

curry is stupid for not wanting to take the test, there really is no other word for it, stupid.

According to the NY Times it's Curry, Davis, and a future pick for Thomas, Sweetney, Jackson, and this year's #1

 

Thanks for that.

 

I could see it being in the 8-15 range.

 

Actually, I've heard conflicting reports from different sources saying that it could be the pick we received from San Antonio for Nazr Mohammed -- and that would probably end up being a very late 1st rounder.

 

The deal, which was OK'd last night by the league office, has the Knicks giving up Tim Thomas, Michael Sweetney for Curry and Antonio Davis. The Knicks on Monday night debated buying out Davis, who played for Brown when he coached the Pacers, with the Bulls planning to re-sign him. Now the Knicks contend he is a keeper.

 

The Knicks also gave up the better of their two first-round picks next year (the club also owns San Antonio's); two second-round picks; and the Bulls have the right to swap picks with the Knicks in 2007.

 

Source

 

Wow, talk about getting ripped off. The better first rounder (probably the 10th or 12th pick), 2 second rounders, and knowing that the better '07 pick is going to belong to Chicago? Ouch.

It's being rumored that Eddy failed his physical

It's being rumored that Eddy failed his physical

 

 

wow, wouldnt that be shocking

Yea I heard on ESPN1000 that he did fail his physical. The offical word comes at 5 central