The Wednesday that Ben Gordon said he would practice with the Chicago Bulls started with him wearing sweats and casually scrolling through his hand-held device in the Berto Center lobby.

It ended with the virtually unprecedented move of a team releasing a statement at 11:04 p.m., confirming that the fifth-year guard had agreed to sign a one-year qualifying offer of $6.4 million.

That means Gordon will become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2009 and the Bulls could lose the third overall pick in the 2004 draft for nothing. General manager John Paxson is scheduled to address further the saga following today's practice session.

Gordon, contacted late Wednesday, wouldn't comment about his decision.

"Ben is excited to be with the Bulls again this season and is looking forward to being the best teammate he can be," said Raymond Brothers, Gordon's agent. "And he will keep the window open to negotiate with the Bulls next summer."

Gordon rejected a five-year, $50 million extension in 2007. It's unclear what the Bulls offered this past off-season.

On Monday at the Berto Center, Gordon vowed not to let his contract situation become a distraction and said he'd watch all practices in support of his teammates. Nevertheless, Gordon left yesterday morning's session early and wasn't present at the Berto Center last night.

Gordon is expected to practice today, adding more drama to an already crowded backcourt situation that also features Kirk Hinrich, Larry Hughes, Thabo Sefolosha and No. 1 overall pick Derrick Rose. Coach Vinny Del Negro glossed over the issue becoming a distraction.

"We haven't put in a lot yet, so one or two practices won't be a big deal in the big scheme of things," Del Negro said. "Obviously, I want him out there yesterday. But it's part of the business. We'll work through it. And he'll pick things up quickly.

"He's obviously a big part of the team. He's worked out in the facility all summer. Probably his wind isn't great but he's been playing a lot so it won't take him long. He's in good condition."

Gordon made NBA history in 2005 when he became the first rookie in league history to win the Sixth Man of the Year award. But while always professionally accepting of his role, Gordon never has made a secret of his desire to start.

In four seasons, Gordon has started 128 of 316 games. He has led the Bulls in scoring each of the past three seasons, justification enough for his camp to demand to be the highest-paid Bull.

Luol Deng signed a six-year, $71 million deal last offseason. Gordon, according to sources, sought an annual salary in the $12 million range. The most the Bulls could offer without entering the league's punitive luxury tax territory was the $58 million over six years.

Del Negro didn't envision any problems with Gordon's role.

"We're a team," he said. "It isn't about one individual. It's about the collective group. We have a bunch of good, talented guys. It's my job to develop them. However I feel he or anybody else fits in and gives us the best chance to win, that's where they'll play.

"Sometimes players want to play as much as they can and guys are competitive and I love that. That's part of the business. Ben can score. How we're going to use him, that will be determined by how he plays and fits into things. I know he's willing to step up and play whatever position or how we need him to play to help us win."