Luol Deng's representatives and the Chicago Bulls have continued discussions about a contract extension, and several NBA executives believe Deng is worth somewhere between the deals Josh Smith and Andre Iguodala signed this offseason.

Iguodala signed a four-year, $48 million deal with the Golden State Warriors while Smith signed a four-year, $56 million agreement with the Detroit Pistons.

Deng's reps met with Gar Forman in Chicago on Monday.

The Bulls' desire to stay under the luxury-tax threshold could jeopardize the franchise's ability to pay Deng market value.

The Bulls maintain Deng is part of the team's core.