Not a Bull market

The immediate aftermath of a 33-49 season is obviously a regretful time.

Ben Gordon and Luol Deng haven't expressed any regrets, at least not publicly, about turning down contract extensions last fall that would have paid them $10 million or more per season.

Obviously, it doesn't take a genius, or an agent getting a 4 percent cut, to understand Deng and Gordon did not improve their leverage over the ensuing six months.

On July 1, the Bulls' leading scorers will become restricted free agents and their future is unclear. But on their way out of the Berto Center following exit interviews with general manager John Paxson on Friday, both players were optimistic they'll be back with the Bulls.

"We talked about a lot of things," Gordon said. "I'm still sorting some things out in my head. We didn't really speak specifically about (free agency). Judging from the conversation, obviously, I'm in their plans. We'll see what happens.

"I think the organization knows what I'm capable of. If they feel I'm a piece that they need, they'll make the necessary moves."

Gordon walked out of the building with a collection of game jerseys over his left shoulder. He had one of each color the Bulls wore this season -- white, red, black, black with red pinstripes and green.

Most of the Bulls drove out of the players parking lot without speaking to the media. Deng, however, stopped and conducted a brief driver's seat interview.

"I feel like I am in their plans," Deng said. "With this league, you never know. I'd like to be here, but at the end of the day it's really how the organization feels about the whole situation."

Only a few teams -- Philadelphia, Memphis and Charlotte -- expect to have any kind of significant salary cap room this summer, and it's unlikely any team would sign Deng or Gordon to an offer sheet, knowing the Bulls would surely match it.

So the first move this summer is in Paxson's hands. Does he make Deng and Gordon offers similar to the ones they turned down last year? Should he make lower offers or wait out the summer and see if any sign-and-trade possibilities arise?

At the same time, either player could choose to sign the one-year qualifying offer and become an unrestricted free agent in 2009. If that happens, the player would have veto power over any trades for the next year.

"He (Paxson) brought up some contract stuff, talking about last summer and the way things went and stuff like that," Gordon said. "He's got a lot on his plate right now, so we didn't really talk about any specifics for this off-season. He has to get a coach, go through the draft and everything like that.

"When the times comes to talk about that again, I guess I'm better prepared than I was last year to understand how the process works."

Gordon suggested that it might be wise to bring him back, because after going through the bitterly disappointing 33-win season, he'll know how to prevent a recurrence.

"We all just need to use this year as a lesson of what can happen if we're not all on the same page for whatever reason," Gordon said. "If some of those (same) things start to happen next year, I know what the signs are. Maybe I'll be able to kind of look out for things and change them before they go wrong. I'll definitely use this season as a learning experience for what not to do."

There is really no telling what might happen to the Bulls this summer, other than they'll have a new coach when training camp begins in October. One obvious goal is breaking up the log jam at guard, which probably means either Gordon, Kirk Hinrich or Larry Hughes will be moved.

The Bulls' only unrestricted free agents this year are fourth-year guard Chris Duhon and second-year guard Shannon Brown. Neither is expected back. Rookie guard Demetris Nichols is restricted and has supporters in the Bulls' front office.

The Bulls will have the No. 9 pick in the June 26 draft, unless they get lucky and win one of the top three selections at the May 20 lottery.

Van Gundy says he'll wait: For what it's worth, former Rockets and Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy told the Houston Chronicle on Thursday that while he does want to coach again, he is not planning to come back next season. Van Gundy is on the Bulls' list of potential candidates.

"I see myself coaching one day, but not next year," Van Gundy said before a Yao Ming roast in Houston. "I'm very content with what I'm doing (broadcasting). It's the right thing for my family right now for many reasons. Down the road, I think without question. Next year, not at all."