Eddy Curry visited with Bulls operations chief John Paxson on Monday, which normally wouldn't be that big a deal, except it was the first time in a while the two had met, and there was plenty to discuss.

Curry, 22, has been lamenting publicly the Bulls' hesitation to sign him to a lucrative multiyear deal. According to a league source, Paxson explained the problem with insuring Curry's heart because of the irregular heartbeat that sidelined him for three months, and the two expressed their desire to secure a new deal.

The Bulls are offering a short-term deal, but Curry might decide to play for the one-year qualifying offer and become an unrestricted free agent next year.

Curry's agent, Leon Rose, said the Atlanta Hawks remain interested in the restricted free-agent center even though they haven't offered a contract. Atlanta is the only place Curry has visited, and Rose broke his silence with the media to put a more positive spin on Curry's sliding market appeal.

''I called [Hawks general manager] Billy Knight on Friday, and he assured me that their extending an offer sheet to [Milwaukee Bucks reserve center] Zaza Pachulia did not mean they no longer have interest in Curry,'' Rose said Sunday night. ''The Hawks still have $13 million worth of salary-cap room left, and they are still interested in Eddy.''