The Chicago Bulls are reportedly going to chase shooters like JJ Reddick, Patty Miles and Cj Miles, once they figure it out how to solve their salary cap problems. After losing to the Boston Celtics in six games, the Bulls now shift its attention on sorting out contractual issues such as Dwayne Wade’s second year option worth $23.8 million, Rajon Rondo’s partially guaranteed contract worth $13.3 million and Nikola Mirotic’s restricted free-agency.
Money Matters
Wade, who averaged 18.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists, stressed that he is "not in a hurry" to make his decision over his basketball future.
However, the All-Star veteran is projected to opt into the final year of the deal since the 35-year old would have a hard time getting the same amount of money in this year’s free-agency market.
Rondo’s situation, on the other hand, is also far from being resolved. According to Sean Deveney of Sporting News, there are already rumblings within the Bulls’ front-office about guaranteeing $10 million of Rondo’s $13 million due for next season.
After all, the former All-Star player turned things around towards the final weeks of the regular-season, averaging 12.0 points, 8.0 assists and 6.2 rebounds in his last 13 games. He continued to excel well in the playoffs, as he led the Bulls to two road wins at Boston.
Between Game 1 and 2, Rondo averaged 11.5 points, 10.0 assists, 8.5 rebounds and 3.5 steals per game.
As for the restricted free-agency of Nikola Mirotic and Michael Carter-Williams, the Bulls’ ability to retain them, or at least one of these two players, hinges on Wade’s decision this off-season. Multiple teams are expected to line up for the service of these two young players once they hit the market.
The Skinny
Adam Fromal of Bleacher Report isn’t optimistic about the Bulls’ salary cap situation. The analyst is expecting a number of movements here and there before the Bulls solve their cap problem. If they manage to iron out everything (Wade leaving $23MM on the table), Fromal believes the Bulls will use bulk of that free-agency money for shooters like JJ Reddick, CJ Miles and Patty Miles.
These players are all projected to rake up at least $18MM per year deal.
“Only after that situation is resolved can the Bulls try to find the shooters Hoiberg craves. Players such as Patty Mills, C.J. Miles and J.J. Redick should become targets eventually, but not during the first days of free agency,” said Fromal, who also thinks letting Rondo walk away this summer might be a wise decision for the team moving forward.
