Bulls Agree With Wallace

For years, Ben Wallace has made life tough on the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference.

He’s about to make it better.

Wallace, the defensive player of the year last season with Detroit, agreed Monday night to a four-year deal worth $60 million with the Bulls, sources said.

The deal will become official July 12, the first day free agents can sign contracts.

By adding Wallace, the Bulls go from being a middling team last season to becoming contenders for the Eastern Conference title. Wallace will join a returning nucleus of Ben Gordon, Kirk Hinrich, Luol Deng and Andres Nocioni.

Wallace helped the Pistons advance to the NBA Finals twice, and they won the championship in 2004. Wallace was in the top 10 in rebounding (11.3), steals (1.78) and blocks (2.21) last season.

Detroit offered Wallace a four-year deal reportedly worth $48 million to $50 million, but he told the Detroit News on Sunday that he was disappointed by the offer.

“I just thought we had a pretty good run there, and I thought the offer would have been a bit better,” Wallace said.

Chicago Tribune

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The Atlanta Hawks have reportedly reached agreement with point guard Speedy Claxton, who averaged 12.3 points, 4.8 assists and 2.7 rebounds last season with the New Orleans Hornets.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported on its website that the deal is believed to be for four years and worth about $25 million.

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The Milwaukee Bucks signed second-round draft pick David Noel to a multiyear contract. Noel averaged 12.9 points and 6.8 rebounds last season as a senior at North Carolina.