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The Chicago Bulls announced today the team has agreed to terms with restricted free agent forward/center Tyson Chandler for a long-term contract. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Chandler was expected to sign a six year deal. It could be anywhere from $50 to $75 million total. More will be known about the contract details on Friday.

“We’re very happy that we have come to terms with Tyson and that he will remain a member of the Chicago Bulls. In this business, things don’t always happen at the pace you would like, but I knew from the onset that we would make this happen and Jeff Schwartz played a key role in the negotiations,” said Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations John Paxson. “Tyson’s play last season was an important factor to our success and we hope to take the next step forward with Tyson being a major contributor to our team. He is fully aware of our commitment to him and he understands his responsibility to the organization, our front office and his teammates.”

The 7-1, 235-pound Chandler played in a career-high 80 games last season with the Bulls and averaged 8.0 ppg and career-highs of 9.7 rpg (9th in NBA), 1.76 bpg (13th in NBA) and 27.4 mpg. He also shot .494 from the field and a career-best .673 from the free throw line. He led the team in rebounding in 53 games, scored 10+ points 30 times, grabbed 10+ rebounds on 36 occasions and registered a team-best 21 double-doubles. His 693 rebounds in a reserve role was an NBA-best (9.9 avg), as was his 131 rejections (1.87 avg). In six playoff contests last season, he posted averages of 11.7 ppg, 9.7 rpg, 2.17 bpg and 1.3 apg in 28.7 mpg.

“I’m ecstatic that this contract is done,” said Chandler. “To know that I will be in Chicago for the next six years is definitely a dream. Since I’ve been in Chicago, the city has been my home and it feels so good to go home.”

Chandler’s agent Jeff Schwartz, President of Excel Sports Management said, “This is the outcome we were working towards, Chicago is a great city and John is taking the team in the right direction. I am thrilled for Tyson to begin the next chapter of his career with the Bulls.”

In four NBA seasons, Chandler has appeared in 261 games, including 117 starts, and averaged 7.6 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.40 bpg and 23.7 mpg, while shooting .500 from the floor and .637 on free throws. He has 47 double-doubles and is currently seventh in team history for blocked shots (383). He was originally selected by the L.A. Clippers in the first round (2nd overall) of NBA Draft 2001 before his draft rights were traded by the Clippers, along with Brian Skinner, to the Bulls for Elton Brand on June 27, 2001.

InsideHoops.com Editor's View: Chandler's an athletic freak who rebounds like a maniac. The Bulls absolutely didn't want to let him leave. Now it's up to Tyson to develop his offense and become a complete basketball player, rather than just an athlete who boards well.