Preferred Use of Cap Space

pipfan · Post #1 » by **pipfan** » Sat Feb 17, 2018 4:59 pm

We are off to a great start in our rebuild. This summer will be huge-gotta make wise decisions. I see 4 options for our cap space

1-go after top FA-obviously LBJ is not an option, but PG13 and Cousins would be
2-go after young/value FA's
3-eat bad contracts for picks
4-sit tight, resign Lavine and see what happens. Just develop our 2 picks

League Circles · Post #2 » by **League Circles** » Sat Feb 17, 2018 5:52 pm

I think we should explore all of these, with preferred moves being on a case to case basis as opposed to ranking the types of moves like this.

GDRO10 · Post #3 » by **GDRO10** » Sat Feb 17, 2018 5:56 pm

Sign young players with upside who haven't figured it out in their teams yet (Hezonja, Exum etc.) and continue to take contracts like Asik's for picks. By the summer of 2020 you should be able to offer at least one max contract to a superstar player (maybe AD). Hopefully Lauri and LaVine are All-Stars by then.

kodo · Post #4 » by **kodo** » Sat Feb 17, 2018 6:26 pm

Retain cap space for 2019 with 1 year deals.

2019 FA is going to be a circus, and teams will be looking to get cap space.

Depending on player opt ins; Lebron, KD, Westbrook, Klay Thompson, Walker, DJ, etc..

MrSparkle · Post #5 » by **MrSparkle** » Sat Feb 17, 2018 7:03 pm

- I'd offer Nwaba a very cheap deal ($4m a year max) - definitely wouldn't want to overpay for a defensive specialist. That would be classic Pax "sign now and regret later." I like him as a 15 mpg energy guy, and he'd be good to keep through his prime if cheap. Otherwise, nah.

- Begrudgingly offer Zach market value (hopefully not the max, but probably looking at $22m salary minimum). However, I'd only do it if there was either a team option in year 3 or an injury-clause like in Embiid's contract. If year 3 is partially guaranteed with a team option, I'd settle on the max in that case, cause of he has an injury set-back, that still opens up the 2020 cap situation.

- Pat Connaughton is kinda interesting. Portland likes him and will probably resign him, but they're also in a budget crunch with entirely too much money invested in their wings, not to mention McCollum playing full-time SG. He's a 3P threat, fairly athletic (goes for oops) and active off-the-ball. Perhaps a perfect RFA steal? You can always use young wing depth in this league. He's 25, can play alongside anybody cause he does a little bit of everything. 3P threat, catches the alley-oop, defends.... $50m/4? Wouldn't mind that. Start him at SF to start unless we draft Luka (not looking very hopeful), and even if we do, he'd be a nice 6th man.

- I agree with keeping space open for 2019, to absorb bad salary and a good pick.

contestedlayups · Post #6 » by **contestedlayups** » Sat Feb 17, 2018 7:17 pm

GDRO10 wrote:Sign young players with upside who haven't figured it out in their teams yet (Hezonja, Exum etc.) and continue to take contracts like Asik's for picks. By the summer of 2020 you should be able to offer at least one max contract to a superstar player (maybe AD). Hopefully Lauri and LaVine are All-Stars by then.

Hezonja would be a fantastic sign if they can grab him. The Magic made a massive blunder by not picking up his option this year. He would relegate Denzel to the bench, which would be perfect for both parties. If that game on Monday against the Bulls was any indication, he's ready to finish this year strong and have a great NBA career. Re-signing Lavine to a 3 or 4 year deal is also a great way to use some of that cap space for this year.

transplant · Post #7 » by **transplant** » Sat Feb 17, 2018 10:06 pm

Hard to vote 'cause I'm all about #2 and #3. The Bulls don't figure to make their run until the 2019-20 season. For 2018-19, they need to be opportunistic. If there's a young RFA they really like, go for it. If they can take on a bad contract and get a pick, do it. What they shouldn't do is overpay for a big name.

leo921 · Post #8 » by **leo921** » Sat Feb 17, 2018 11:12 pm

Sign Lavine to a 5 yr 85 mil deal. 18m per, in 2 years he will definitely outplay his contract and be a great value.

Sign Nwaba to a nice value extension. 4yrs 28 million. 7m per, just below mid level exception. Will be a great defensive role player locked in long term and cheap. Working with Fred and the staff will make him improve more.

Unless there happens to be a free agent willing to sign for an absolute steal I would stay out of Free Agency and wait for next year when we have a shot at difference makers like Klay Thompson and Kahwi Leonard.

This summer needs to be about focusing on the development of Dunn, Lavine, Markkanen and our two rookies. They and the team do better make the playoffs next year or are close to it then lots of star FA's or star players will be begging to come play for a young upcoming and capable team.

sco · Post #9 » by **sco** » Sun Feb 18, 2018 3:25 am

PG13
Capella

keloms · Post #10 » by **keloms** » Sun Feb 18, 2018 3:37 am

Path shouldn't be linear.

Go for the big name free agents this year and every year there's cap room. If you sign them great, if you don't, then you move on to younger talent and developing picks. No need for role players until the very end as there's always going to be more than enough of those around the league looking for a team.

Davell · Post #11 » by **Davell** » Sun Feb 18, 2018 6:18 am

leo921 wrote:Sign Lavine to a 5 yr 85 mil deal. 18m per, in 2 years he will definitely outplay his contract and be a great value.

Sign Nwaba to a nice value extension. 4yrs 28 million. 7m per, just below mid level exception. Will be a great defensive role player locked in long term and cheap. Working with Fred and the staff will make him improve more.

Unless there happens to be a free agent willing to sign for an absolute steal I would stay out of Free Agency and wait for next year when we have a shot at difference makers like Klay Thompson and Kahwi Leonard.

This summer needs to be about focusing on the development of Dunn, Lavine, Markkanen and our two rookies. They and the team do better make the playoffs next year or are close to it then lots of star FA's or star players will be begging to come play for a young upcoming and capable team.

I like Nwaba, but the market is going to be so depressed, that I think that's overpaying by a decent amount. Not even sure 4/20 isn't a bit high, based on the amount of FA available and who's got money.

I'm hopeful we can get LaVine slightly under 17 per too. Again, just based on what the market will look like.

As for who we should target? Depends on who/what we draft, but I'd stick to youngsters. Hezonja being the main guy I'd try to nab, if we don't take a wing. Smart is a guy I'd be apt to go after, depending on what it'd take.

Gordon will take a max offer, its tempting to me, but I'd pass. Same on Capela.

And I'd really like to move Lopez, even if we take on a bad contract that lasts an extra year. But only if it nets us a future first. If its not possible, just keep him.

Pax for Prez · Post #12 » by **Pax for Prez** » Sun Feb 18, 2018 8:39 pm

Davell wrote:
leo921 wrote:Sign Lavine to a 5 yr 85 mil deal. 18m per, in 2 years he will definitely outplay his contract and be a great value.

Sign Nwaba to a nice value extension. 4yrs 28 million. 7m per, just below mid level exception. Will be a great defensive role player locked in long term and cheap. Working with Fred and the staff will make him improve more.

Unless there happens to be a free agent willing to sign for an absolute steal I would stay out of Free Agency and wait for next year when we have a shot at difference makers like Klay Thompson and Kahwi Leonard.

This summer needs to be about focusing on the development of Dunn, Lavine, Markkanen and our two rookies. They and the team do better make the playoffs next year or are close to it then lots of star FA's or star players will be begging to come play for a young upcoming and capable team.

I like Nwaba, but the market is going to be so depressed, that I think that's overpaying by a decent amount. Not even sure 4/20 isn't a bit high, based on the amount of FA available and who's got money.

I'm hopeful we can get LaVine slightly under 17 per too. Again, just based on what the market will look like.

As for who we should target? Depends on who/what we draft, but I'd stick to youngsters. Hezonja being the main guy I'd try to nab, if we don't take a wing. Smart is a guy I'd be apt to go after, depending on what it'd take.

Gordon will take a max offer, its tempting to me, but I'd pass. Same on Capela.

And I'd really like to move Lopez, even if we take on a bad contract that lasts an extra year. But only if it nets us a future first. If its not possible, just keep him.

Nwaba needs to be on a short term deal (2 yrs max). He is an high energy player who is nice to have on roster, but only on a cheap contract.

The Bulls will be adding 2 1st rd picks, minutes will be harder to come by for him.

Pax