Harper’s Got Right Team, Right ($19.4 Million) Money

The Clippers scoffed when guard Ron Harper demanded a $20-million, five-year contract.

But the Chicago Bulls nearly met Harper’s asking price.

A source familiar with the deal said Harper signed a $19.4-million, five-year guaranteed contract with the Bulls on Friday night. Harper will earn $2.4 million in 1994-95 with raises of 30%.

Harper said the Bulls were his first choice.

“I always liked the Bulls,” he said at a news conference Saturday at the Bulls’ practice facility in Deerfield, Ill. “The guys who played here won three championship rings. They had a spot for me.”

Harper, who spent 5 1/2 seasons with the Clippers, was happy to leave a team that compiled the NBA’s seventh-worst record last season (27-55).

“I had some good years out there and I had some very bad years out there,” he said. “A ballplayer wants to win. I tried to play hard, but we did not compete as a team a lot of last year. With the Bulls now, I feel we will compete as a team.”