Just when it appeared Luol Deng was ready to play out the coming season and become an unrestricted free agent in 2009, the Bulls finally came to terms with their 6-foot-8 forward on a six-year, $71-million contract.

Deng's attorney, Jason Levien, set July 29 as a deadline to get something done, because Deng was planning to leave the next day for London, where he'll spend the month of September playing for the Great Britain national team in European championship qualifying.

"He is only 23 years old and one of the best young small forwards in the game," general manager John Paxson said. "So we are happy to have the contract done."

Deng suffered from back and Achilles' tendon injuries last season, while his numbers dropped a bit from the 18.8 points and 7.1 ...More