NBA's company won't insure Curry's heart

July 19, 2005

Eddy Curry's heart will not be covered by the company the NBA uses to insure contracts, the Sun-Times has learned, meaning the Bulls' restricted free-agent center is unlikely to be offered a long-term deal.

Curry, 22, was sidelined for three months with an irregular heartbeat, which first flared up during a home game March 28. Multiple examinations in several cities could not pinpoint the problem, and Los Angeles-based cardiologist David Cannom green-lighted Curry's return to action June 30.

But not all of the Bulls' doctors were convinced. At least one wanted Curry to submit to a DNA test that might have helped determine the possibility of Curry suffering hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which contributed to the deaths of Hank Gathers and Reggie Lewis. Curry refused and sought opinions from his own doctors, including Cannom.

The Bulls were wary of offering a long-term deal until they learned whether Curry's heart would be insured. Trustmark, a Lake Forest-based insurance company, has the option of exempting 14 body parts and six players for illnesses. Curry's heart is one of the exemptions, according to a league source.

Neither Curry's agent, Leon Rose, nor Bulls operations chief John Paxson was available for comment Monday.

The Bulls remain interested in Curry, but they're expected to offer a short-term deal including incentives based on his health.

Curry also has visited the Atlanta Hawks, but it's unlikely any team will offer a long-term deal and then be on the hook for millions of dollars if Curry's heart problem should result in early retirement.

Curry, a four-year veteran, has been working out since being cleared by Cannom and said he feels healthy.

It's not clear whether Curry could get his own insurance and whether that could affect teams offering longer contracts.

Posted by roblackman:

Question: Who's more of a health risk Brown or Curry? Answer: Brown.

Posted by djsunyc:

bulls fan assume paxson will either offer some sort of 3 year deal at $18 mil or atlanta will make a $50-60 mil offer thus necessitating a sign and trade.

curry is from chicago - check
curry is a center - check
curry is a huge risk - check

somebody give isiah his phone number ASAP