The Chicago Bulls’ free-agency will heavily depend on Dwyane Wade as he decides on his player’s option for the 2017-18 season worth $23 million. Should D-Wade opt in, Chicago could use some spare money for floor spacers and knock-down scorers at the two spot. However, if Wade opts out, the Bulls could find itself in the hunt for one of the max-level free agents this summer.
Cap situation and incoming free agents:
The Bulls will have a guaranteed salary of $44,618,029 heading into the offseason. However, the figure does not include Wade’s hold of $23.8 million which comprises 25 percent of their all-inclusive total salaries.
With the kind of performance Wade put up last season (18 points on 43 percent FG shooting), it’s safe to say that Bulls’ front-office Gar Forman and John Paxon are already wishing for Wade to opt out, so they can get more than $40 million to spend in free-agency.
“But if the Bulls make it clear they're angling for a teardown, Wade has earned enough money to chase rings in Cleveland elsewhere at a discount—much to the benefit of Chicago's cap room, which blows past $40 million without him,” Favale noted.
Moreover, the Bulls will also have to decide on whether or not Rajon Rondo’s late-season push and strong performances in Game 1 and Game 2 against the Boston Celtics deserve him a $14 million paycheck next season.
Sporting News’ Sean Deveney hears that Rondo sealed the deal with that output. But with the Bulls’ buying power shrinking in, it won’t be surprising if they let loose of Rondo instead of chasing shooters.
Outside FA targets:
Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers) – It has long been speculated that the Bulls are interested in Griffin.
While acquiring him may prove costly (renouncing their holds on Nikola Mirotic, Cristiano Felicio, Joffrey Lauvergne), the Bulls’ front-office will do everything in their power to land another star alongside Jimmy Butler. Spending a contract worth $25M per year for a man who recently injured his big toe may not be a smart idea, but that’s how things work in Chicago under the GarPax administration.
Serge Ibaka (Toronto Raptors) – Ibaka can be considered as Plan B option if the Bulls miss on Griffin. Like the Clips star, Ibaka will command a contract worth $22MM to $25MM per year, making him a very expensive FA splash for a guy who averages 15.1 points and 6.8 rebounds. However, at 27-years old and a better clip from 3-point range (38.8 percent), Ibaka might not be a bad alternative.
J.J Reddick (Los Angeles Clippers) – the Bulls direly need shooters on the backcourt after witnessing one of the most poorly spaced teams in franchise’s history. Adding a 41.5 career three-point shooters in Reddick could solve the problem, but are the Bulls willing to spend $18MM for a one-dimensional player?
