2010/11 Chicago Bulls Payroll: $31.8 million
2010/11 NBA Salary Cap: $56.1 million
Roughly: $24.3 million under cap
The Good: The Bulls made a few trades to free up as much cap space as they could to try and lure a superstar player to the Windy City. One of their strongest selling points is the ability to play alongside Derrick Rose. In his second season, Rose proved that he is here to stay as one of the game’s best point guards. He led the team with 20.8 points and 6 assists per game and shot a nice 49% from the field. Any championship team needs a good point guard to lead the way, which is why playing with Rose is so intriguing to free agents. Chicago has Rose for two more seasons under his rookie contract. They hope to have a contending team built by then.
Another key piece of a championship caliber roster is a good center and the Bulls think they have one in Joakim Noah. He has improved all three years in the league and this season he averaged a double-double for the first time with 10.7 points and 11 rebounds a game. He blocks shots, hits 50% of his field goal attempts, and plays with a lot of passion. That last factor is what the Bulls love the most about him. It’s hard to find players that want to win and give as much effort as Noah. The team has him on the cheap for just one more year. No doubt his paycheck will greatly increase after that.
One of the biggest surprises on Chicago’s roster this year was Taj Gibson’s performance. He was just the 26th pick in the draft, but Gibson was a key contributor, putting up 9 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. He also averaged 1.3 blocks and hit 49% of his shots. Gibson’s play was a revelation and the Bulls can count another good young player to add to their core.
The Bad: Luol Deng actually had a pretty good year. He was second on the team in scoring at 17.6 point per game, he shot well from the field, and he averaged a career high 7.3 rebounds. So what’s the problem? Deng is a good player but he is being paid like a superstar. He is the second best player on his team and if Chicago can sign a big name free agent this summer, he will be the third best. However, Deng is due to rake in $51.2 million over the next four years. That is an expensive price to pay for someone who isn’t “the man”. Deng is definitely worth having on your team, but his price tag could make it difficult to resign young players like Rose and Noah in the next few years.
Another veteran whose production doesn’t quite match his pay is Kirk Hinrich. There is no disputing that Hinrich was an important player in the Bulls’ lineup playing off the ball at shooting guard. His contract, though, is paying him like he is still averaging 16 points and 6 assists a game as the primary point guard. Hinrich’s role was reduced when Derrick Rose arrived on the scene and now he puts up numbers like 10.9 points and 4.5 assists, hardly worth the $9 and $8 million coming to him the next two seasons. Hinrich is definitely a tradable asset and the Bulls have been patient. They should find a good trade offer for him soon.
The Future: Chicago is banking on a major player coming to them as a free agent this summer. Otherwise, all of their cost cutting moves will have gone to waste. Considering the major market, available dollars, and excellent young nucleus they have, there is little doubt that one of the biggest names will decide to call Chicago their home for a while. The Bulls are set at point guard, small forward, and center. Lucky for them, most of the elite free agents can fill their needs at shooting guard and power forward. LeBron and Dwyane Wade are obviously the dreams, but Joe Johnson and Chris Bosh wouldn’t be too bad either, especially if they somehow got both. The Bulls have a unique opportunity to build a team this summer that could be considered a title contender for years to come. The pressure and expectations are now on their front office to get some deals done.
Even if they don’t, Chicago will be fine. The team might be a little worse next season, but they could go into next summer’s free agent market with as much or more money to spend. Their cap space is very clear for the foreseeable future so there is no reason to panic if none of the Dream Teamers sign with them. If the team is patient, they will find the right pieces they need to become a contender and that’s all that matters.
Grade: B+
Kirk Hinrich
Given the fact that this years FA class of PGs is weak (headlineded by Raymond Felton) why would a team not trade for Kirk Hinrich? He is proven and a great defender. Why is NY looking at him (if they dont think Douglas is their future)? You need a quality PG and it looks like Chi would be happy to move his contract.
Kirk Hinrich
I wouldn’t trade Hinrich unless it was in a sign and trade for one of the big name free agents or if the Bulls acquired better guards that pushed Hinrich to 4th guard on the team. Right now he is guard number 2 behind Rose. Sure he may seem over paid given his points and assists but when you include is defense and toughness I believe he is fairly paid at $9 and $8 million over the next two seasons. I see no reason to deal him for strictly salary cap reasons.
But Davey
Didnt the bulls try to move him and Salmons together and couldnt? To me, during the trade deadline their WERE trying to move him for salary reasons.
What about IND, Hirick was be perfect for them. If you were the bulls would you trade hirick for the 10th pick? You could add a young piece (shooter ie Henry) for cheep or turn around and deal the pick again to a younger team for a role player to fit the game of your signed FA (who ever they get with their money).
Then the bulls sign Ray Allen with the money their freed up for dealing Hirick (this also saves money in the long term). Rose needs a spot up shooter because he gets to the lane alot.
I think dealing Hirick to IND would help both teams, the bulls would free up money to get the player they need via free agency instead of having a redundant over paided PG (dont get me wrong he brings alot to the table with defense) and get a top 10 pick and IND gets a legit PG.
Does this not help both teams involved?
The only reason CHI was, and
The only reason CHI was, and is considering moving Hinrich for Cap Space is to aid in opening up a 2nd max contract slot.
Currently the bulls would probably move either Hinrich or Deng if it gets them back a superstar player.
A little after July 1st, when the dust settles… I am absolutely certain if Hinrich and Deng are still on the roster they will no longer be considered as potential cap space casualties.
“Dumping“ in all its glory, is going to become alot less prevelant after approx. the fisrt week of july 2010.
Dumping contracts will still have its purpose ie. to get under the luxury tax, change of ownership etc… but it won`t be like it has been the last few seasons.
kirk hinrich
With out hinrichs defense the bulls would be nothing. Kirks not going anywhere. So all you haters on kirk can suck it
beast
CAN U SAY BUCKETS!! it don’t matter 1 or 2 we lucky to have him on the squad.the best things about him & noah is ; their young & seem to care about the game, their approach is very professional,& a great deal of room for improvement.taj looks 2 be a quality lunch pail type guy also, the makings of a good team. two nice F.A’S another good draft pick & we’re set
State of the Bulls
Trading Hinrich to Indy or Memphis for their draft pick would be nice.
Free agency starts w/ Lebron, but I would target Joe Johnson who is suited to be another superstar’s running mate and not have to carry the load day-in-and-day-out. Chris Bosh would be a great tandem to pair with Noah as well.
They will definitely need to address their frontcourt bench, as when Noah went down last year they fell off the map only to return to compete for that final playoff spot when he got healthy. Taj Gibson is a great utility guy, but they need to decide if they will be able to get any consistent frontcourt scoring out of either of them in the future. If not, that will need to be included, maybe a Drew Gooden in free agency who is familiar with this team.
In the draft, they should be targeting WHiteside, Henry or George. If they can trade Hinrich for either Indy or Memphis’ pick and get a combination of Whiteside and George/ Henry they will be a winner on draft night.
hey ross
your a fuckin idiot