ARG - Nocioni "to sign Bulls deal"

CHICAGO (NBA) - Andres Nocioni reportedly has agreed a five-year contract to return with the Chicago Bulls.

The Chicago Tribune is reporting on its website that Nocioni and the Bulls have come to terms on a deal worth $38 million. The deal also includes a team option for a sixth season.

The contract cannot be confirmed until the NBA's free agent moratorium ends on July 11.

The Memphis Grizzlies had been interested in the restricted free agent, but their offer did not match that of the Bulls who had
vowed to retain the Argentina international and did not wait for the market to determine his price.

Nocioni, 27, averaged 14.1 points and 5.7 rebounds per game for the Bulls last season despite battling foot injuries. He played
in 53 games, starting 31, and averaging 26.5 minutes per game.

In the playoffs, Nocioni averaged 8.8 points and 3.5 rebounds as the Bulls reached the Eastern Conference semi-finals before
losing to Detroit.

Nocioni has chosen not to play for Argentina at this summer's FIBA Americas Championship tournament in Las Vegas as he focuses
on making a full recovery from his injury.

FIBA