The Bulls could be the main threat to take Mitchell Robinson away from the Knicks in free agency this summer, according to Marc Berman of The New York Post. Chicago and the Pistons were among teams that engaged in trade talks about Robinson prior to February’s deadline, Berman writes, but Knicks officials decided to hang onto the fourth-year center through the rest of the season.
The Bulls are still doing research on Robinson, sources tell Berman, and have interest in pairing him with center Nikola Vucevic to improve their interior defense. If Chicago re-signs free agent guard Zach LaVine, the team would likely operated over the cap and be limited to the mid-level exception. The Mavericks, who were rumored to have interest in Robinson at one time, are now expected to pursue less costly alternatives, according to Berman’s source.
Berman reported in February that Robinson was likely to leave if he couldn’t reach a new contract with the Knicks prior to free agency, but he’s now expected to take the best offer he can find, even if that means staying in New York, Berman adds. A source tells Berman that the Knicks’ major concern with Robinson involves maturity and how he might respond once he has a guaranteed deal.
There’s more from the Central Division:
- Comments about continuity from Bulls executive vice president Arturas Karnišovas indicate that he’s serious about re-signing LaVine and keeping the rest of the team’s nucleus together, per K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago. Johnson believes Chicago plans to add depth through the draft and cap exceptions rather than seeking a significant trade.
- The Bucks will promote Charles Lee to associate head coach, filling the spot vacated by new Lakers coach Darvin Ham, tweets Shams Charania of The Athletic. Lee interviewed Friday for the head coaching slot with the Jazz, according to Tony Jones of The Athletic (Twitter link).
- Arizona guard Bennedict Mathurin worked out Friday for the Pacers, according to Scott Agness of Fieldhouse Files. Mathurin didn’t talk to the media, but he told Agness at last month’s draft combine that his main concern is landing in the best situation. “It’s not about going high or low, it’s all about going to the right spot,” he said. “And I’ll bring winning to the team. I want to go to a team and win a championship and get better as a player.”
- Wisconsin guard Johnny Davis has a workout scheduled with the Pacers on Monday, Agness tweets.
Ah a report from KC Johnson who is much more credible than Cowley and Mayberry who are clowns. Johnson actually TALKS to AK where as Cowley just tries to sell subscriptions with outrageous rhetoric. I never really believed the whole Gobert stuff anyway as signing Lavine and getting a reliable 5 to back up Vujevic who will play on an expiring contract which is much more appealing to a good GM than trading it.
Darnell is no clown.
i dont mind mayberry but cowley is the worst
Is Robinson RFA or UFA. Doesn’t really say. Wonder if they’d take Coby White for him? If the Bulls do re sign Lavine, White can go.
UFA …. Knicks can still offer biggest contract.
Bulls have $19 million cap room, not $49 million
It’s 49 million without Lavine. Since he’s a FA he’s not in there yet.
I don’t need to check salary data
There is no way that Bulls have $49 million cap room this offseason
Lol
You really never learned how to read did you? It says plainly in the article WITHOUT Lavine. Did you have to sit in the corner with a pointy hat on in school? Like all day? Who looks up salaries for you? You can’t read.
Unclemike : hey,its silyman, dont wasted ur time him him
Number 1, they haven’t even figured out the cap number yet anyway. They just have a pretty good idea. Number 2, I’m pretty sure the article is talking about the Luxury Tax number which for the Bulls is around 155 million I think I read. Plus with all the cap holds, Troy Brown D. Jones and Lavine it’s all just a best guess anyway. But every time I read one of his posts I can’t help but think of that old comedy bit ” Eye Tuk Da Ebelin Wud Sped Reddin Corse end In creesed ny Compresshun 300 Purr Sent”.
There are much cheaper options than Mitch for Bulls. I don’t believe they would sign him. Plus he’s not going to backup now. Knicks shouldn’t let him walk. A sign n trade is way to go. Mitch plus what else will get us that Pistons #5 pick. (Quickley n #11) ????
The #5 pick is pretty close to off-limits — and no need for a sign and trade, the Pistons have room to sign him outright. If you’re looking to move up, maybe give Portland a call though?
Mavs need McGee, not Mitch
McGee is better rim protector than Mitch
Suns can’t afford McGee
So here’s my new theory why the Bulls sign Lavine to a deal, If not a Max deal, close to it. So since Lavine can be re signed by Bird rights he won’t count as much against the cap THIS year as in future years they’ll be fine. Then when next year comes and the cap goes up and Vuj’s contract expires they will be able to manage the cap for years to come. I guess it’s the smart play even though I don’t think Lavine is a max player. Also will make Cowley’s Gobert stories circular file fodder which they are.
I get what you’re saying about him not being a max player. IMO, if he isn’t now, he’s real darn close and will be by the end of the contract. I don’t think we’ve seen the peak.
Not a fan of the defense-first centers with terrible FT%, dont need to pay Mitch to get that. Deandre Jordan and Drummond signed for peanuts this yr, Drummond price goin up, but these guys are a dime a dozen
Drummond’s price isn’t going up – he’s invisible on defense. If he was anything, he’d have been locked up as opposed to getting cut by one team after another. As for Jordan, it’s painful watching him try to run up and down the court.
If CHI renounces LaVine, they’d have about 15-20 mm in cap space, not 49 mm. Not sure where that number came from (hopefully not just lifted from Berman). If they don’t renounce LaVine (the most likely path), then they would need a S&T to acquire Mitch. I’m skeptical of this report for other reasons though.
If you read the article about the Bulls off season plans it explains the Cap situation so even you could understand it. Maybe. They’re talking about the hard cap not the basic cap. The Hard Cap will be around 155 million before they have to pay the Tax. Which would affect the MLE and the other exceptions they wouldn’t be able to use.
Can’t they resign Zach and go over. He’s their own FA, Bird rights. Yes it means going over cap. But then they get what they want.
That seems to be the common opinion Al. It’s probably the best way to go even though I still don’t believe LaVine is a max player he’ll probably get it. Then next year hopefully the cap goes way up, Vujevic isn’t re signed, Or is at a smaller salary which isn’t likely, Then next year the Bulls need to find a C someplace. Maybe LaVine comes back and has a great year and they can deal him if it’s a problem. Either way, They’ll need to start getting younger pretty fast as the window is short.
Ah, no Uncle Mikey. I’ll attempt to educate you again (yes, I know its futile):
– The “salary cap”, the “tax line” and the “hard cap” are all different numbers. Got it? You pay tax if you exceed the tax line, whether or not you hit the hard cap. Got it?
– The hard cap ONLY applies if a team does certain things (get a player in a S&T or use the full MLE). Got it? No team is subject to it at this time.
– As far as the ability of CHI to sign Robinson as a FA, that’s ONLY about the salary cap. Got it?