Eddy Curry's agent continues to pursue a sign-and-trade for the Bulls' center, and apparently he will keep pushing for it right up to Monday night's deadline for qualifying offers.

Curry has until 11:59 p.m. Monday to accept the Bulls' offer of $5.14 million for the upcoming season, preparations for which open Tuesday with the start of training camp workouts. Originally, the cutoff date for qualifying offers was Saturday, but it was changed to coincide with a weekday. The Bulls can extend the deadline further at their discretion.

A source close to the negotiations said the Knicks still are offering to send Tim Thomas and Michael Sweetney, which is unsatisfactory to Bulls general manager John Paxson. Contracts for Thomas and Sweetney, valued this season at $13.5 million and $2.1 million, respectively, expire next spring. Paxson is said to be seeking a draft pick.

It seems unlikely that the parties will reach an agreement.