ChiCubsFan

And all of that will result in never winning a title unless they get another FA superstar. Congrats on getting the respect of other owners and the media, though. They have the respect of players too. Which kinda matters. There's only so many superstar FAs to go around so there's 25 other teams missing out left and right on these guys too. We're in a better position than most. I was only replying to the comment that there's something wrong with the organization and that we're the most dysfunctional in the league. I agree that we have to land one of them at some point if we want to put ourselves in position to be one of the front runners for a title.

It's a weird loop hole that's entirely related to the fact that we only signed him to a 2 year deal on his first contract, so we didn't get full bird rights. And the provision allows you to match anyways even though you wouldn't technically have the cap space or exceptions to do so. I think there would probably be better solutions though, like allow a QO system on the third year of any rookie deal, allowing a team to get that third year and bird rights. Then again, perhaps the Bulls should have pushed harder for that third year on the first contract. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk I'm talking specifically about how the cap hit counts one way for the signing team and another for the matching team. There's absolutely no reason to allow it to work like that. But agree, Bulls should have fought harder for a 3rd year. But all indications are that Asik really only wanted a 2 year deal so he could cash in on a larger payday sooner.

Agree on the LOL. If we "strike out" it won't be some great travesty. We are a top 3 option for one of the best players in the league. If we end up losing out, it's because he either loves New York too much or he was overwhelmed by the opportunity to play with the best center and SG in the league. And he makes a little extra money with no state income tax. Despite the overhyped Pax/Gar/Thibs feud, we have one of the most stable and respected ownership/front office/coach combinations in the league.

From TT's post in the other thread: Vogelbach Pre 5/15: 144 PA, .242/.319/.320/.639, 17% K%, 10% BB% Since 5/15: 155 PA, .299/.400/.530/.930, 18% K%, 12% BB% Can't argue with .930. Especially with a pretty solid K/BB%.

The Knicks trade is very interesting. To me, it appears that the Knicks are waiving the white flag on Melo. Why trade their 2nd best player (Tyson Chandler) who only has 1 year left on his deal in a deal that increases their 2015-16 team salary? They essentially added a little over 3M cap hit for 2015-16 to save approximately 3M for 2014-15. There's only 2 reasons the Knicks would want to clear cap space for this year. One would we be to try to create cap room to sign someone to entice Melo to stay. Even with this deal they'd still be $30M or so over the cap after signing Melo to a max contract, so that 3M isn't going to do anything. The other reason would be to get under the tax line after losing Melo. They could do this by just letting Melo walk. But they don't really want to lose him for nothing, if they can help it. So they clear just enough space to be able to take Boozer back (and all the assets that come with him) and still come in under the tax line. There are many S+T deals that can be put together, but it'll probably look something like Melo and Calderon or J.R. Smith for Boozer, Dunleavy, Snell, 2015 1st round pick, Sacramento pick, and non-guaranteed contracts to make money match. It's possible that the Bulls will include 1 or both of the guys they take in the draft tomorrow as well. I don't see Mirotic being included, but he can be added in if necessary. The Bulls would also be taking back a multi-year contract to help the Knicks clear space for the 2015 offseason. I am an optimist and so maybe I am reading too much into it, but it just seems very strange that the Knicks would make a deal that would reduce available cap space for their 2015 offseason plan if they still hope to retain Melo.

Seems like a pretty poor deal for the Pelicans to me. 1 year of Asik at 8.33M for a (likely) lottery pick? I haven't heard anything about protection on it, but seems like an overpay to me. Edit: Just read it's top 4 or 20+ protected. So stupid. HOU had to move Asik. NO should have held out for lottery protection. BTW, the NBA CBA and ability to create a "poison pill" are so asinine. Had we matched Asik's contract, he would have counted as a 14.8M cap hit for any team that would have traded for him from us right now. I thought the idea was to give an advantage to teams trying to keep their own players. Guess that only applies to the superstars of the league.

Melos gone. NYK trying to get under LT after S&T for Boozer and assets.

Baez and Bryant in the future game on july 13

Yeah, I'd rather have Rizzo than Cashner.

Thank you Scott Feldman.

I don't agree at all, but I get it. Beating LeBron and winning a championship with Melo and the boys would be so much more gratifying than winning one with LeBron on our team. Again, I don't agree. At all. But I can understand the reasoning.

You think that extra year is that important to him? Because the money is nearly the same when you factor in NYs state income tax. I think if all he cared about was making the most money he would have played out his contact and cashed in next year.

You think that extra year is that important to him? Because the money is nearly the same when you factor in NYs state income tax. I think if all he cared about was making the most money he would have played out his contact and cashed in next year.

You need more than just LeBron taking less to make that work. if we hear that bosh and wade are opting out, that's bad news. Agree. However, I think it would be to make a run at Lowry rather than Melo. I don't think everyone takes enough of a paycut to fit all 4 in. I can see them all taking smaller pay cuts to free up $10-$12M for Lowry. Or maybe Gortat. But I never though the Big 3 would be formed, so who knows. Either way I'm praying Bosh and/or Wade don't opt out.

Why wouldn't you just use the #1 on Wiggins or Parker to pair with LeBron and company? Or trade the #1 for Love if you want to go that route?

You need more than just LeBron taking less to make that work.

What about New York? Could that even happen? No. There's no way for them to get under the cap until next offseason. There was some chatter last night about Melo and LeBron to LA (before LeBron opted out). I believe I read they could free up $31M for LeBron and Melo to share. I don't see those 2 being okay with that when Kobe is making what he's making. Id put Lebrons probability as 75% Miami, 20% Cleveland, 5% other. Melo would probably be something like 40% Chicago, 40% New York, 10% Miami, 10% other

I'm slightly worried about LeBron and Melo going to LA. Don't think it'll happen but I didn't think the Heat would happen.

I'd do it, but would prefer a Melo/Taj or Melo/Buckets combo.

This. So sick of hearing about a $30M difference.

If we end up using our draft picks, I'd like one to be on Saric. Just signed a new 3 year deal so he'd be a great draft and stash. He might fall now that it's known he won't be coming over until 2017. On a side note, why do they have the draft before free agency even begins?

S&T or bust.

Melo and AA please! Trade Boozer, Jimmy, MDJ, Snell, 16, 18, Sac pick, future picks, and non-guarantees to make the money match. Rose/Hinrich (vet min) Afflalo/BAE SG Melo/vet min Taj/Mirotic (MLE) Noah/Smith That's about the most perfect scenario we could hope for. Afflalo fits with Rose and Melo so much better than Jimmy does. More likely though, is that they're looking at Afflalo as a plan B if they miss out on Melo.

Bulls NEED to work out a sign and trade if they're going to get Melo. It's an infinitely better scenario than an outright sign.

I don't believe teams like the TWolves crave cap space because they won't get any worthwhile players to use it on. Butler, Gibson, and other assets (picks, Mirotic) is probably the best offer they'll get. If Boozer is included with Taj, I bet we'd be taking back a bad contract.