The Chicago Bulls currently have $53,852,897 in committed salaries. The NBA Luxury tax threshold is rumored to be at around $58 million, therefore not affecting the Bulls. Bagaric, Brunson, Gill, and Johnson all come off the books this summer. Williams(Jay) is expected to come off the books as well(pending contract buyout). What does this mean? Chicago will head into the offseason with a committed payroll of $43,428,664. That doesn't include the draft, fa's, contract extensions, etc. The team salary cap is expected to be slightly higher than the $45 million or so its set at. Basically, Chicago wont be a major player in Free Agency. So what should you expect from Chicago? Fizer and Crawford will be RFA. Chicago can tender them one year offers, like what the Clippers did with Olowakandi. There is a risk to both sides. Chicago could lose them in Free Agency the following year because they'd be UFA. Or the players could lose out on big paydays, should their games slip, or an injury, etc. Its risky for both sides. Chicago has a frontcourt consisting of Chandler, Curry, Williams, Davis, and Blount. Fizer's one year tender would be just over $4.9 million. That would leave Chicago with too much money invested in its frontcourt. Fizer will be most likely 'let go' via Free Agency. I expect a team like Charlotte to pick him up. To replace any minutes left behind by Fizer, look for Mario Austin, a 2nd round pick from this past draft to be brought over. Crawford, if he plays well for the rest of the season, could be headed for a big payday. He will command somewhere between Larry Hughes and Gilbert Arenas money. I think a deal starting at $6 million is very likely, should Chicago extend him. For the time being, let's assume they do. Suddenly, Chicago's payroll is pushing $48 million. And lets not forget that Gill, Johnson, and Brunson are still FA's. Of the 3, Gill is the most likely to be retained, for the leage minimum, which for a veteran with his experience is around $1 million. So Chicago could head into the draft and Free Agency with a payroll of $49 million. As of now, if the draft was held today, Chicago would be picking 5th. Last year's 5th pick, Dwyane Wade, is making $2,636,400. Chicago would be at $51.5-$52 million in committed salaries at that point. Since that is above the team salary cap limit, Chicago has the option of whether or not to use the MLE($4.9 million). Chicago will most likely use it in an attempt to bring in a 3 that can shoot and defend. (Turkoglu could be an option) With that being said, Chicago's payroll will then be pushed to $56.5-$57 million, which should be a couple million below the luxury tax cutoff. Thus, Reinsdorf will not have to pay the luxury tax, and will receive money back from the league(both are good things....). Point being, Chicago is in good shape with its current cap situation heading into next year.
I've heard so many different figures for the luxury tax, are sure are you that the $56.5-$57 million will maintain? The thing about the Bulls is that their salary is mostly on wait and see players like Crawford, and Austin (if brought over). Will the talks with Crawford go over as smoothly as the Bulls would want? There has seemed to be some animosity between Crawford and the organization this year. Would that affect what kind of demands he would put forth? What the Bulls have to watch out for is that team that always likes to outbid and overbid for certain players in the offseason when they feel they have to make a move for someone with the cap room they have. Where would that leave them then in terms of getting a good guard back on their roster? Also, I know it's a big favor to ask, but if you ever have time, do you think you can help figure out the Suns cap situation? I made a thread about it in the Suns forum but I have only received one response.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting sunsfan1357:</div><div class="quote_post">I've heard so many different figures for the luxury tax, are sure are you that the $56.5-$57 million will maintain? The thing about the Bulls is that their salary is mostly on wait and see players like Crawford, and Austin (if brought over). Will the talks with Crawford go over as smoothly as the Bulls would want? There has seemed to be some animosity between Crawford and the organization this year. Would that affect what kind of demands he would put forth? What the Bulls have to watch out for is that team that always likes to outbid and overbid for certain players in the offseason when they feel they have to make a move for someone with the cap room they have. Where would that leave them then in terms of getting a good guard back on their roster? Also, I know it's a big favor to ask, but if you ever have time, do you think you can help figure out the Suns cap situation? I made a thread about it in the Suns forum but I have only received one response.</div> I believe the projected luxury tax figure is in the mid $50 million area. It usually goes up(since the NBA's revenue exceeds its expenses). Depending on that figure, the tax cutoff could, I suppose go down if they don't make money. At this point, its just a guess, since we don't have the exact numbers(they aren't released, but the rumors are generally accepted). Austin, if brought over, will be for the mimumum. He will be our 'Lonny Baxter' of this year. His salary will not affect too much. Crawford's will. I don't expect smooth sailing from him and his agent. Arenas got $8.5 million as a starting salary. Crawford will be asking for less than that, but not by much. Crawford will get several MLE offers, which means Crawford, if extended will get a mimimum starting salary of $5 million. Again, I have doubts if he will settle for that little. In the end, I think a deal starting at $6 million could be very plausible(which could get higher if he plays better down the stretch). The worry I have is that Crawford hasn't shown that he can be the type of player that can dominate games. Or at least give Chicago a shot at winning. He is a 'on again, off again player' that has yet to establish any sort of consistent play. And Ill go look for the thread in the Suns forum...
...and I'm not sure but the Bulls have to worry about Chandler and Curry after next season, right? Would they try to prepare for that by maybe being a little cheap this offseason? I'm thinking the Bulls might throw in a, "If you want to win, you have to take less money so we can afford to sign Curry and Chandler next season," line.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting King James:</div><div class="quote_post">Moved, come on fellas, team forums first, they need it. Great post Vintage.</div> I wanted it in the NBA forum, since usually the only responses I get in here are from ObieCent and The Prophecy(not that I am complaining about them....I like posting back and forth with them, but I want others opinions and comments also).
We stopped that a long time ago, if they don't come in here, they just don't care. Maybe a Bulls fan will join soon that is worthy to be a mod and will put some time into bringing more Bulls fans here. Matter of time.
