Cap Freedom

(Bulls cap outlook prior to potential Mirotic & Lauvergne deals)

Well as the outcome of the "3 Alpha" project leaves us with only 1 alpha, only due to Dwade's decision to remain the highest paid player on a team for the second consecutive year of his legendary career. Although his numbers are far from pedestrian, Wade only played in 70% of the regular season games because of injuries and not playing in most back to back games. His contract is only a burden for the upcoming season. Even with his motivation to be bought out/traded to continue to play meaningful basketball, while still guaranteeing himself his biggest check to date. He may be stuck playing for his hometown team all year unless a situation the Bulls benefit from comes along. After the 2017-2018 season, the Bulls will only have 3 players definitively on the roster come 2018-2019. Markkanen the #7 pick acquired in the Butler trade, recently resigned Summer League prospect Felicio for four years, and proven consistent but old school center, Robin Lopez for two more years (2017-2019). Who should and could be moved prior to the trade deadline to a contender in need of a consistent center. (For atleast a 2nd round pick in 2018)

(March Niko is worth signing, nightly Mirotic could be passed on)

That brings us to one of the two restricted free agents receiving qualifying offers, who both happen to be stretch power forwards. Nikola Mirotic has given Chicago fans plenty of fun moments that leave the mystery of his true potential in the air. An underrated defender, as he is quick enough to stay infront of the more hastie power forwards, but is outmatched by the more physically gifted low post forwards in the game. Although lengthy, with decent lateral moment Niko still lacks the athleticism to play the small forward position in the NBA today. I cannot predict our current front office personnel, as they remain as secretive and dumbfounding as ever. But unless a long term offer to Mirotic is an attempt at a sign and trade maneuver, giving him more than his one year qualifying offer with further team options, would be foolish given the direction of the Bulls. As well as the unneeded depth in power forwards. If any other teams show interest in Niko, the Bulls would be wise to let him walk to give Markkanen and Portis their fair shot. As Bobby and Lauri are the two youngest players on this rebuilding Bulls roster. 

( Joffrey Lauvergne, aquired from the Taj Gibson trade that lost us more draft picks then we received)

Lauvergne, or Laubum as I prefer to call him also received a restricted free agent qualifying offer with a cap hit of 3.25 million. Although Joffrey was only able to take on some throw away center position minutes upon his arrival in Chicago. I would not be apposed to bringing him back next year at this low of a price. But giving him an extended contract that doesn't include team options moving forward would be a mistake. I don't see many teams trying to offer Joffrey more, but if they do let him go as well. There is no need for, four power forwards with the same skill set, unless you feel one or more has potential to play center nightly in the league today. 

I understand being so passive in free agency is generally considered a flaw or lack of iniciative. But given the current situation, the front office has not gone out of their way to offer unnecessary contracts to players that don't fit our current rebuilding timeline. With as much as I resent Garpax, they're doing their best to retain their jobs and approach a rebuild correctly. Leaving prime minutes to the youngest of players still under rookie contracts, with team options going into the 2018-19 season. This promotes competition, as well as a hard working cultural foundation that is needed in the new CBA. The best way to build a contender with the current structure of the league is through the draft. Rookie contracts allow you to pay the minimum for two plus years, with two years of team options and a fifth year player option. Blocking your youngest players with the most upside on this team would be a big mistake.

So what should the Bulls do with their remaining cap, assuming one or both of the "unneeded" power forwards receive better offers? The Bulls should be looking to pass on any extended offers, that hinder their availability to sign free agents in the 2018-19 and beyond seasons. Finding veterans that want to be overpaid for their knowledge on one year deals, or taking on other teams bad contracts that result in acquiring future picks is the best course of action. This allows the Bulls to not only get veteran knowledge with a present attached. But would also fit the timeline, as 2-3 years is the best case scenario for a SUCCESSFUL rebuild. 

With just one "rebuilding" season that positions you to acquire a top 3 prospect in the draft, and hopefully a front office change in the near future. As Garpax have not only alienated Bulls fans worldwide with their nact for giving too much in any trade, but have also sent the message to any future BIG name free agents league wide, that they're unreliable. Michael Reinsdorf would be be borderline insane to keep Garpax past this throw away 2017-18 season.

Letting the current front office dictate the direction of the team in its latest state, would be conducive of another decade of mediocrity. As our scouting/talent development chain of commands, currently reside in the back end of any NBA team today. Despite holding the highest attendance and marketability of any NBA team, the Bulls current personnel relies on its dedication of the double dynasty fans from the 90's. Bringing top free agents to a rebuilding team, regardless of the past prestige, poses too many questions with the characteristics of a "drug dealer" mentality front office. Whose only goal is revenue and a positive return from the team that is put on the floor, in past years.

Logical dealings are not something the current front office understands. As they continually are taken adavantage of, even given the leverage in all past dealings. The Bulls proved their intentions in this latest draft. After selling the 38th pick in the second round for 3.5 million in "cash considerations" right after enduring a full rebuild. Bulls nation had freshly ground salt poured directly in the wounds of a rushed, uncalculated trade of a top twelve player in the NBA (Jimmy Butler).

The acceptance of the trade the Bulls front office received for Butler, only shows their perceived urgency to protect their jobs. Garpax and the Dorf's were and are currently aware of the robbery that took place. But the return provided the quickest rebuild possible, putting three able bodies on the floor by then end of the season (given LaVines ACL injury and one year contract). Giving the perception of a quick rebuild into contention, as three players under twenty-four years old that fell between 5-14 in the in past drafts, is an easy sell to the "casual fan base". But dedicated fans that understand the minimal trade return on a All-NBA talent, know it does not recquire giving up our own #16 pick in this years draft to deal. Which currently stands as a pick that would be much needed to fill "fits". Justin Patton or Terrance Ferguson with the first round pick at #16, would've been the youngest prospects on the young Bulls team. But we were scared into once again, giving up extra assets for pennies (maybe nickels) on the dollar, in a deep draft, that could've been salvaged by retaining the leverage of an All-Star with two team friendly years left of his contract.

Being undercut by an early Wade opt in, a full week before his decision was due. Was the attempt at stong arming the Bulls into a repeat alpha season, that showed potential with a 2-0 lead on the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference Boston Celtics. Before "playoff Rondo's" injury put the Bulls at a competitive disadvantage, for the other point guards to further the series. Butler alone was not enough to overcome the resurgence of an always gritty Celtics team, who dominated without the showing of  "playoff Wade" in a Bulls jersey.

Wade's early opt in quietly undercut Jimmy Butler's trade value, as the potential of a full re-run of the prior Bulls 50/50  season would be eminent without a rebuild. With Dwaynes 1/4th of the cap being guaranteed before draft night, it forced the urgency of a Butler trade. It hindered the ability to get top dollar for Jimmy, as even with two years guaranteed. Opposing teams fully understood the Bulls need to start over now or never, before entering the Paul George territory of a forced deal at the trade deadline or next off-season (before a pending supermax contract to Butler at 30 would be due). It was widely projected that a Butler trade would force a Dwade opt out. With Wade's pre draft night opt in, the Bulls were faced with taking the best available trade. (Ironically Butler and Wade were on vacation together, making the probability of this stong arming abit less than ironic).

All nonsense aside, the best move to meet the cap exceptions, would be to add high character/knowledgeable veterans that won't keep minutes from the twenty-four and younger players, on big one year deals. While sharing concepts only gained with experience. Or taking on horrible three year or longer contracts with pay days beyond comprehension, to acquire future draft picks. As the current timeline is to logically be contenders in 2020-2022. But logical choices are not something I am optimistic about after draft night 2016. 

Where did the funds I contributed to the #FireGarpax billboard go to? As I myself shared the same dissaproval draft night, with the same idea to publicly humiliate the incompetent front office along I-90 or I-290 to all who drove past. Close to $8,000 was funded to the "go fund me" account idea within the first week. Yet no billboard is currently displayed, and my minimal contribution to the fund likely only filled the pockets of the founder in a Bulls front office esc maneuver.

Making the NBA Draft lottery top 5 of the 2017-2018 season should be the main goal of our team. As an elite player on a rookie contract from the next one to two drafts is the Bulls best chance at a championship contending team. Pushing current top players past their prime, with a team whose cap structure emulates "the Process" of Philly can be achieved more quickly than most in Chicago. Rushing this process, by adding players who need to be on the floor after giving them big contracts would be counterproductive. By letting the youth movement prove who is worthy of keeping, and positioning ourselves for the highly touted prospects in the next two years drafts, is the only way to escape multiple mediocre seasons ahead. To "Embrace the Suck" for defined assecention in the NBA is NEEDED. No more overpriced veterans to put bandaids on this "rebuild".