With less than three weeks before training camp begins on Oct. 3, the Bulls' contract negotiations with restricted free-agent center Eddy Curry are at an impasse.

A source familiar with the talks between the Bulls and agent Leon Rose said Thursday that "it looks more and more'' like Curry will play this season for the team's one-year qualifying offer of $5.14 million guaranteed.

Rose, who has not returned multiple messages seeking comment, reportedly had been seeking a team with which the Bulls could work out a sign-and-trade deal for Curry, who was sidelined late last season by heart arrhythmia. Those heart troubles also led the NBA's insurance carrier to refuse to guarantee any contract for Curry.

Curry, who has yet to find alternative coverage, also sought an offer sheet from other teams, but none was offered.

Bulls general manager John Paxson all but dismissed a sign-and-trade scenario during a Sept. 6 interview on WSCR-AM (670).

"If we were to do it, we'd have to get something we really like in return, and I don't think that's very realistic,'' said Paxson, who also acknowledged that he had offered Curry a multiyear deal.

That longer-term deal involved a shared risk between the team and Curry, who originally was said to be seeking a guaranteed contract worth at least $60 million for six years.