The Bulls will likely be close to the luxury tax threshold all season, but K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago doesn’t expect them to be willing to end the year in tax territory. Executive vice president Arturas Karnisovas said on draft night that he would lobby ownership to pay the tax for a contender, but Johnson states that it’s hard to see him getting approval for a team that finished 10th in the East last season.
Johnson estimates that the Bulls are about $2.4MM away from tax territory with two open roster spots. He expects the team to unload point guard Carlik Jones, whose non-guaranteed $1.9MM salary is roughly the same as a veteran’s minimum contract, and try to get frontcourt help instead.
Johnson adds that filling both roster openings with minimum contracts would put Chicago slightly over the tax line. He expects management to keep one spot open heading into the season and see what opportunities become available to add players. The Bulls have about half of their $12.4MM non-taxpayer mid-level exception remaining, along with a $4.5MM bi-annual exception and a $10.2MM disabled player exception that was granted for Lonzo Ball‘s injury.
There’s more from Chicago:
- Billy Donovan‘s 10-man rotation appears set with training camp two months away, and the biggest questions seem to be who will start at point guard and power forward, Johnson adds in the same piece. If Donovan continues his emphasis on defense, Johnson expects newly acquired Torrey Craig to get the nod at power forward, with either Alex Caruso or free agent addition Jevon Carter running the point. The return of Derrick Jones Jr. or a free agent signing such as Rudy Gay could upend the current rotation, Johnson adds, possibly pushing out Andre Drummond.
- Bulls officials want Patrick Williams to become more aggressive as he enters his fourth NBA season, according to Johnson. Williams returned from an injury to play all 82 games last season, and Johnson believes the organization should be patient with a player who won’t turn 22 until next month.
- The Bulls may have slightly overpaid for Ayo Dosunmu, but keeping him on the roster was still a good move, contends Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic. The restricted free agent received $21MM over three years and now has to make a case for consistent playing time in a crowded backcourt.
He’s a FA next yr ………. NYK is calling
DeM DeR …….. to Knicks.
For what? Quickley, Toppin, Fournier and a 1st would’ve been nice. Bulls need a PG,PF, and shooting.
He’ll be 34 in August. And a FA next yr. He’s not coming back. Ball is out for the yr. Maybe gone for ever. Bulls would be wise to build around Zach Now ….
Quickley, Grimes, Sims, #1 pick
My only question is how well DDR would work in a lineup that already has Randle and RJB in it.
I mean, it could work just fine, but immediately my mind goes to thinking that they might struggle without being able to really stretch the floor. Idk, I’m just not entirely sure how well their offense would flow, and whether they’d be able to sustain a high level of success on both sides of the ball consistently…
Brunson is a plus no matter who is around him, but it may work with Robinson acting as the defensive anchor down low on defense, and then kind of staying out of the way offensively setting screens at the perimeter and occasionally rolling for offensive rebounds.
I’m certainly no basketball expert by no means, but it would definitely help if RJB and Randle could both become more consistent with their 3pt shooting. Then, I could see it working out pretty well, but either way they’d definitely be an I tetesting group to follow and watch as they learned to mesh together..
He fits as a vet leader. Someone both those guys would respect. DeM is not a ball hog. He gets his points in the offense. He’s clutch and is a scorer. He should make it easier for them. Randle imo is the one who would have to adjust the most. DeRozan I think gets his respect. Plus he’s a bucket when you need it.
Winning makes everything easier to adjust. DeM has always been a team player. It’s why I think he will fit.
Fournier, Hart and picks for DeRozan
Ceiling is a 7 seed and or 2nd round exit.
I wish Patrick Williams wasn’t bad at basketball.
Should be playing SF
My poor Bulls have $21M in 3 exceptions and will spend less than 4M to avoid luxury tax
Yep. Reinsdorfian at its best. Having said that don’t be surprised when airplane comes back.