The $29.6mil of 2014 cap space noted is a big number, but I'm not sure about the Bulls making any sort of big free agent splash with it. While I completely believe that they'll amnesty Boozer that offseason, I don't think you can automatically erase Deng from the equation. For the sake of argument though, let's go with it. They'll still have Rose and Noah at $30mil combined. If they match Asik, that'll take them to $44mil. If they retain Gibson, that'll bring you to $52mil or so. Now add in Butler, Teague and two more first rounders and you're at around $56mil. That'll be under the cap, but marginally. What it does accomplish however, is that it would allow the team to offer Mirotic the full MLE. Lots can happen, but I think it's just as likely that 2014 will be known as the Mirotic summer as the big-splash summer. 2015 could be interesting. Kevin Love could become a free agent (player option for 2015-16). Love and Rose are buds. The Bulls could have PF assets in Mirotic and Gibson, along with the Bobcats pick (if Charlotte remains awful, it would be one year away from being unprotected), that would be attractive the T-Wolves if Love makes it clear that he won't be exercising his option.
The real issue is whether it will be the Heat we have to worry about. Sell hope, fellas. But don't sell it "down the river."
And by the way, Haugh is the worst possible choice for a sports columnist. I have never, ever, considered his opinion to be of any real value, ever. KC is Edward R. Murrow, compared to him.
