Build a team distributing 17 points (though experiment)

[MGB8]

Luxury tax level is just under 171 M, with the cap at just under 140.6 M. First Apron is at just over 178 M. 2nd at just under 196 M.

Bulls are effectively hard capped at the tax until they prove that they are top 4 ish (at least in East).

Thinking about roster building, might be easier to analogize to the "build a team with 10/12 pts" game. 17 pts. 12 players under it (last few we'll discount). Round to the half point

A 30% Max is a bit more than 4. 35% rounds to 5. MLE (and very high 1st rounder) rounds to 1.5.

If you have 2 guys at 4, that only leaves you with 9 more points to work with for your next 12. If 4 of those guys are MLE, you have 3 pts - to split among 6 guys - BAE, minimum/2nd and late first round picks.

If you have a 5, 4 and 3, that leaves you 5 points over 9 players - basically trash for your non "big 3" outside of some great rookie or huge value signing.

The "5/4/3" concept is thus very difficult to actually make into a contending team. Ditto 5-5-3 (or even 5-5-2). Little differences, a half point here and there, have outsized impacts.

Bulls seem to be setting up for a 3-2-2-2-1.5-1.5 type structure across top 6 or so. 12 pts leaving 5 across last 6 - which leaves some flexibilities for rookies contracts like Matas graduating to a 3+ later on.

[meekrab]

I mean ideally you have two 6'7"+ wing superstars in your max slots, a shot blocking rim running screen setting big, a point guard with elite vision and ball security and a tall 3+D guy as your starters who you pay the big salaries.
Then maybe a Darius Garland / Tyler Herro / Coby White 6th man, a TJ McConnell / Jose Alvarado type pesky defender backup PG, a young stretch 5 backup, and a versatile 6'9" guy who can do a bit of everything for filler minutes.

The rest of the roster would be prospects, vet minimum ring chasers, and your superstar's brother who can't get a job in Europe.

[MGB8]

I'm more thinking as applied to the Bulls and in terms of approaching signings and resignings, generally.

Bulls locked away 2 points in Pat. 15 left for 11 guys. Good news is that in short term, Matas and Essengue (though we don't know production value on later) are a combined 1 pt. For next year, our only other locked in guys right now are Jones, Smith and Okoro, at 1 each.

6 guys, 6 pts... 11 pts more available more for 6 guys. Huerter and Collins are currently rounding to 4 pts and likely would take 3 pts combined to keep. Assuming that is doable/accurate, 8 pts for 4 guys left. That does theoretically allow you to pay Giddey 3, Coby 3 (though he may want 3.5, which becomes a problem), keep Ayo if he is around MLE (1.5) or less, and have a minimum guy as spot 12 (and 13, 14, which are assumed).

Issue with that is absent some huge blowing up, that team isn't likely to be winning anything more than a play-in game, at best.

[SalmonsSuperfan]