Pistons will try to steal Gordon from cash-strapped Bulls - Details

The Detroit Pistons are challenging the Chicago Bulls for the rights to guard Ben Gordon, the Chicago Tribune reported.

According to the Tribune, the Bulls planned to contact Raymond Brothers, Gordons agent, who has turned down offers of $50 million over five years and $54 million over six years the previous two summers.

Gordon, the Bulls leading scorer for the last four seasons, never has backed off his publicly stated desire to remain in Chicago. He reiterated that desire to close associates on Tuesday. Similarly, general manager Gar Forman consistently has said the Bulls want to re-sign Gordon, according to the Tribune.

The Tribune reported that the Bulls have roughly $63.9 million worth of contracts committed for the 2009-10 season. This number doesnt include the scaled rookie contracts of draft picks James Johnson and Taj Gibson, which combine for roughly $2.75 million.

The league office will release the luxury tax threshold on July 8. Most league observers expect that figure to land somewhere near $69 million. Barring a trade, that means the Bulls only would have approximately $2.5 million to offer Gordon in the first year of a multiyear deal if they want to avoid incurring the luxury tax penalty.

It is the reason why Detroit believes it can steal Gordon from the Bulls.