Ben Gordon and Emeka Okafor will become restricted free agents at the end of the 2007-08 season as they didn’t accept the offered contracts by their respective teams, the Chicago Bulls and Charlotte Bobcats.
Okafor, who was the first draft pick by the Bobcats, didn’t really have to say much about not reaching an extension.
“The Bobcats made a fair offer”
It was obviously not the maximum extension that he could have received otherwise you would think that Okafor would have signed the deal.
For Gordon, it was much of the same thing. He obviously wasn’t offered what he wanted. The offer Gordon received was 5 years $50 million.
“It was never really a negotiation,. It was kind of like, take it or leave it. I didn’t sign it, so I guess it’s safe to say I never considered taking it.”
The Bulls and Bobcats can’t negotiate with Gordon and Okafor until July 1st, 2008. Both teams will have the opportunity to match the qualifying offers from potential suitors.
