With the Wednesday deadline for extensions looming, Bulls GM Paxson asked Luol Deng and Ben Gordon for one-on-one meetings to try to outline the Bulls' position in terms of their salary structure and the current restricted-free-agent market.
The process was similar to what Paxson did with Kirk Hinrich at the same time last year, which led to Hinrich agreeing to and signing a five-year, $47.5 million contract extension.
The Bulls have talked parameters of five-year, $50 million deals with agents for both players.
Deng offered at least a window into his thinking recently and perhaps indicated he'd sign if the Bulls slightly increased their financial commitment.
"If somebody had told me that at some point in my career, I'd make 'X' amount of dollars, of course you would take it," Deng said. "But it's a business, and you have to understand that negotiating is part of the situation."
The Deng negotiations have mirrored the Hinrich talks ? initial pessimism despite cordial talks, a Paxson request for a meeting and at least a glimmer of hope a deal would get done.
No such optimism exists in the Gordon negotiations.