QUOTE
If the Bulls are eager to sign Joel Przybilla, they need to move quickly.
The Portland Trail Blazers want to keep the 7-foot-1-inch center and they reportedly sent director of player personnel Kevin Pritchard to Wisconsin for a meeting Saturday with Przybilla, who resides in Milwaukee.
Saturday is the first day teams can begin discussions with free agents. Players can sign contracts on or after July 12.
Przybilla ranks high on the Bulls' wish list. The Blazers want to re-sign Przybilla but can offer him only the midlevel exception of about $5 million because they are above the salary cap.
The Bulls are in a position to offer much more.
Przybilla, 26, told the Oregonian he is looking for security but is torn about the possibility of leaving the Blazers.
"In sports, nothing is certain, and this could be my one shot to make as much money as I can," Przybilla told the newspaper. "I'm not getting any younger."
He also said he wants to play for a winning team. The Blazers went 21-61 last season but hope to sell Przybilla on their plans to rebuild. They acquired LaMarcus Aldridge and Brandon Roy in Wednesday's draft and traded center Theo Ratliff and point guard Sebastian Telfair.
Ratliff's departure makes the re-signing of Przybilla critical for the Blazers.
Przybilla is popular because of his work ethic and size. The Bulls also could use his leadership. He was a Blazers co-captain.
The Bulls are expected to be a front-runner for Przybilla, who averaged six points, seven rebounds and 2.32 blocks per game in his sixth season. Chicago's proximity to Przybilla's Milwaukee home should be a plus for the Bulls.
Przybilla's agent, Bill Duffy, was not available to comment.
The Portland Trail Blazers want to keep the 7-foot-1-inch center and they reportedly sent director of player personnel Kevin Pritchard to Wisconsin for a meeting Saturday with Przybilla, who resides in Milwaukee.
Saturday is the first day teams can begin discussions with free agents. Players can sign contracts on or after July 12.
Przybilla ranks high on the Bulls' wish list. The Blazers want to re-sign Przybilla but can offer him only the midlevel exception of about $5 million because they are above the salary cap.
The Bulls are in a position to offer much more.
Przybilla, 26, told the Oregonian he is looking for security but is torn about the possibility of leaving the Blazers.
"In sports, nothing is certain, and this could be my one shot to make as much money as I can," Przybilla told the newspaper. "I'm not getting any younger."
He also said he wants to play for a winning team. The Blazers went 21-61 last season but hope to sell Przybilla on their plans to rebuild. They acquired LaMarcus Aldridge and Brandon Roy in Wednesday's draft and traded center Theo Ratliff and point guard Sebastian Telfair.
Ratliff's departure makes the re-signing of Przybilla critical for the Blazers.
Przybilla is popular because of his work ethic and size. The Bulls also could use his leadership. He was a Blazers co-captain.
The Bulls are expected to be a front-runner for Przybilla, who averaged six points, seven rebounds and 2.32 blocks per game in his sixth season. Chicago's proximity to Przybilla's Milwaukee home should be a plus for the Bulls.
Przybilla's agent, Bill Duffy, was not available to comment.
Demand centers on 7-1 Przybilla
