free agency

Sam Smith

The Bulls are putting the band back together. But will it be able to hit the high notes?

That’s the musical and basketball question as the Bulls are poised to basically conclude their NBA free agency starting Thursday by resigning their new Mr. Fabulous, Jimmy Butler, and coming to terms with fellow sole men Mike Dunleavy and Aaron Brooks.

The moratorium on free agency signings expired 12:01 Eastern time Thursday. Although teams were not permitted to discuss or officially sign contracts with free agents until July 9, the Bulls reportedly were quick to address in informal talks their returning veterans, Butler and Dunleavy. Then earlier this week, the Bulls reportedly settled with Brooks on a return for a second season to back up Derrick Rose.

Meanwhile, it was another vibrant and, in some respects, shocking NBA free agency period, essentially presaging free agencies of 2016, 2017 and 2018, which are expected to be expansive with additional salary cap space for all teams from the new $2.4 billion TV contract with the NBA.

The big story was the free agency haul of the San Antonio Spurs, who drew a commitment from the prize summer free agent, Portland’s LaMarcus Aldridge. In perhaps the individual stunner of the summer, Pacers forward David West declined a $12.6 million option to remain with the Pacers and committed to a veteran’s minimum deal of about $1.5 million to join the Spurs and hopefully play for an NBA title. It’s arguably the biggest financial sacrifice a player has made in the name of joining a top team. Those moves along with the promised return of Kawhi Leonard on a long term deal, Danny Green and Manu Ginobili have established the Spurs as early title favorites along with Cleveland and defending champion Golden State.

But perhaps the biggest surprise was the theme of free agency, which was small market.

The Lakers and Knicks were basically shut out of all their top choices as free agents flocked to smaller markets where they believed they had a better chance to compete for a title or the playoffs. The biggest name player to do so was Detroit’s Greg Monroe, courted by the New York and Los Angeles. But Monroe committed to Milwaukee, virtually unheard of since small, out of the way, poor weather markets traditionally have been anathema to free agents. However, Marc Gasol, also courted by the Lakers and Knicks, elected to return to Memphis while super star of the future Anthony Davis said he’d agreed to a long term deal with New Orleans that will keep him there at least five more years.

These sorts of commitments to small market teams, especially over so called glamour markets, had basically been deemed impossible previously. But it’s something of a NFL-ization of the NBA as parity and equality spread throughout the league.

Cleveland with LeBron James also remained a destination again as Mo Williams passed up several offers to commit to a return while the Cavs also locked up Kevin Love long term and are the overwhelming favorite to come out of the Eastern Conference again.

But other Eastern teams fortified themselves as Miami will bring back Dwyane Wade and Goran Dragic and now may have the most balanced and talented starting five in the East. The Wizards lost Paul Pierce to the Clippers but recouped with Gary Neal and Jared Dudley while Atlanta kept Paul Millsap and added Tiago Splitter, the latter the center they needed to give their front line more size. Though the Hawks did lose DeMarre Carroll to Toronto. The Raptors lost Lou Williams to the Lakers. The Pacers moved Roy Hibbert to the Lakers and lost West. But they planned to bring back Rodney Stuckey while getting a commitment from Monta Ellis. Brandan Wright committed to Memphis.

There was yet another surprise Wednesday on the eve of the players able to officially sign contracts. The Mavericks apparently had lured another major free agent, DeAndre Jordan, from big market Los Angeles and also gained a commitment from Wesley Matthews with Portland turning over its roster. But word surfaced Wednesday that Jordan was having second thoughts and might resign instead with the Clippers. That after Mavs owner Mark Cuban had even been fined $25,000 by the NBA for discussing the agreement with Jordan before the July 9 conclusion of the moratorium. Jordan ultimately spurned the Mavs to return to the Clippers. Wesley Matthews, however, was still said to be headed to the Mavericks.

Rajon Rondo will hook on with the Kings for one season to try to resurrect his market value after a lost season in Dallas. The Kings also dumped three players, including their lottery pick from last season, for more salary cap room. But they were essentially spurned and come into the season with an inflammatory circumstance and rumors of a DeMarcus Cousins trade or firing of coach George Karl.

The Knicks did get commitments from Robin Lopez, Arron Afflalo and Derrick Williams and the Lakers from Hibbert, Williams and Brandon Bass. But all the top players bypassed the Lakers as they did the Celtics, the latter making a trade for David Lee and adding Amir Johnson. Thus it’s still well outside the playoffs and looking in for most of the prestigious markets while they wonder about the lures of Milwaukee, New Orleans and Memphis. And San Antonio, which is more than the Mexican cuisine.

It’s not a seismic shift in the NBA balance of power with the Cavaliers remaining the favorite in the Eastern Conference and the Spurs, who were contenders and upset early, rivaling the champion Warriors. With the return of Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka from injury, the Thunder also will be in the top West title mix. The Heat likely has moved up to a potential top four spot in the Eastern Conference with the Bulls. But it’s hardly guaranteed as the Bucks, Wizards and Pacers each could claim a top four East spot in a much stronger Eastern Conference.

So in the Western Conference, the playoff teams at this early stage look like the Spurs, Rockets, Warriors, Grizzlies, Pelicans, Thunder, Clippers and Jazz and Suns fighting for eighth with the Mavs apparently fading away.

In the Eastern Conference, it looks like the Cavs, Heat Bulls, Hawks, Wizards, Raptors, Pacers and Bucks with the Hornets and Pistons trying to upend someone for eighth.

Of course, that could change once the summer league games are played.

That also makes early losers of the Lakers, Knicks, Celtics, Rockets, Kings, Trailblazers and either the Mavs or Clippers, though there are still players to consider in trades. The 76ers? Who knows?

For the Bulls, it appeared to be an eventful/uneventful week and a half as they had the right to match any offer to Butler while Dunleavy apparently made it clear he likes the city and the team and wanted to return.

Most unexpected—or perhaps it shouldn’t have been—was the general league wide trend other than with David West, including with Butler, to take the money.

The speculation and some of it involving Butler was most players would seek short term deals to take advantage of the vastly increasing salary cap starting next year.

Instead, the majority of the players who apparently committed to deals opted for the longest deals they could get and generally with a players’ option for that final season. In Butler’s case, that would be in the fifth year.

Once Butler officially signs the contract, he will become the Bulls player owed the most money and with the longest commitment to the team. It’s seemingly contrary to reports Butler wanted a short team deal, the speculation being he was unhappy and would want to leave the team soon.

Instead, Butler apparently agreed to be locked into the team though the 2018-19 season. Going into 2015-16, Butler will be the only Bulls player on the roster with a guaranteed contract for that season.

Dunleavy’s deal is rumored to be for about $14.4 million over three years with a player option in the third year. Butler’s contract is estimated between $91 million and $95 million with a starting salary of about $16 million. Butler made $2 million last season after rejecting a four-year offer estimated at about $44 million to become a restricted free agent.

Since the actual salaries are based on the salary cap total (the players get a percentage), they cannot be calculated precisely yet since the new salary cap figures are finalized during the moratorium. Contracts also are based on seniority for veteran players and salary cap amounts in future years, so maximum deals can differ in amount.

Butler, who turns 26 in September, had his breakout year last season. He made the All-Star team and was named NBA Most Improved Player. He averaged 20 points to lead the team in scoring along with 5.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists. Butler’s career scoring average coming into the season was 8.9 on 31 percent three-point shooting. He shot 39.7 percent overall in 2013-14. Butler shot 37 percent on threes last season.

Dunleavy, who will be 35 in September, averaged 9.4 points and 3.9 rebounds last season while leading the team in three-point shooting at 41 percent. Pau Gasol shot 46 percent on threes, but with just 26 attempts. Dunleavy attempted 263. Dunleavy also reportedly was courted by the Cavaliers as LeBron James was said to have wanted Dunleavy to be like Mike Miller was for his team in Miami.

Brooks slumped in the playoffs. But he had a good season playing all 82 games and starting 21 as Rose had meniscus surgery. Brooks averaged 11.6 points and led the team in three pointers attempted. He shot 38.7 percent on threes and was the fourth leading scorer on the team.

The Bulls, thus, pretty much will have completed their roster for the 2015-16 season once the signings become official.

The budget and roster for the 2015-16 season would look something like this, according to published reports, with salaries in millions and approximations and the Bulls with one of the league’s highest payrolls and paying luxury tax:

bulls-get-the-band-back-together

Bulls get the band back together

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The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Chicago Bulls. All opinions expressed by Sam Smith are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Chicago Bulls or its Basketball Operations staff, parent company, partners, or sponsors. His sources are not known to the Bulls and he has no special access to information beyond the access and privileges that go along with being an NBA accredited member of the media.

By Sam Smith | 07.21.2014 | 10:15 a.m. CT | asksam@bulls.com | @SamSmithHoops

Consider this NBA universe as the 2014 summer of free agency comes to a close: The Celtics and Lakers again are not expected to make the playoffs; the Heat probably will struggle to be a playoff team, and the Knicks are not expected to make the playoffs, though I believe they are better than the conventional wisdom. Phil Jackson, Pat Riley and the winningest franchises in NBA history consider the lottery more than championship rings for now.

The winners in free agency and given related trade moves were, obviously, the Cavaliers, Bulls, Knicks, Hornets, Pelicans, Clippers, Wizards and Trail Blazers, while the losers were the Heat, Rockets, Lakers, Mavericks and Nets.

So with summer league ending Monday and most of the wheeling and dealing pretty much done, here’s a very early look at how the conferences will be this season.

1.  Cleveland Cavaliers: Recruiting LeBron James, clearly, was the story of the summer. It now also seems difficult to believe they won’t work out a trade for Kevin Love. But even if they don’t and retain No. 1 pick Andrew Wiggins, they have depth, size and another All-Star with Kyrie Irving, which is as much or more than James had to work with in Miami.

2.  Bulls: It was a heck of a stretch run close to add Pau Gasol after failing in attempts with Carmelo Anthony and Love. Gasol with his all-around skill is probably the best center in the Eastern Conference. And he now plays with last season’s best center, Joakim Noah. The Bulls addressed shooting weaknesses with lottery pick Doug McDermott, have a deep backcourt and another promising young player in Nikola Mirotic.

3.  Indiana Pacers: Losing Lance Stephenson is a setback, though more so for Stephenson. So should we expect anything different as leaving does make sense with his often irrational behavior. He signed for less guaranteed money than the Pacers offered him and leaves a sanctuary franchise for him. But the Pacers will recoup enough with C.J. Miles and are expected to add Rodney Stuckey. They’ll still be short scoring and obviously wavered with Roy Hibbert as they explored deals in the summer.  

4.  New York Knicks: They were a winner in bringing back Carmelo Anthony. They weren’t about to attract agents next summer—not that there are that many to make a difference, anyway—without an All-Star. They were the kings of the underachievers last season with a coach who lost the team and a team that quit on one another. Jose Calderon is a strong distributor and Phil Jackson has a chance of getting to J.R. Smith. They have some young talent and the way Tyson Chandler played last season, Sam Dalembert will look like an upgrade. Jackson through coach Derek Fisher will find good use for a shooter like Andrea Bargnani.

5.  Charlotte Hornets: Free agents to Charlotte? First Al Jefferson and now Lance Stephenson. Michael Jordan is quietly making it a destination. Losing Josh McRoberts perhaps hurts in depth somewhat, but they now have a starting five and can put non scoring Michael Kidd-Gilchrist on the bench. Stephenson has that athletic dimension, though Jordan may have to give him some talks. They’ve become a tough out.

6.  Washington Wizards: It’s unclear whether Paul Pierce is an upgrade over Trevor Ariza, whom they lost. But they retained their size bringing back Marcin Gortat with Nene and added Kris Humphries. It seems a curious choice for Pierce, but if he has enough left they shouldn’t at least take a step back. And we’ll see if Otto Porter was a mistake.

7.  Toronto Raptors: They pretty much stabilized in their main move of retaining Kyle Lowry. He had his best season in his contract year, which is always a concern. They added Lou Williams for depth shooting and have a deep bench with Greivis Vasquez and Patrick Patterson. The issue is whether the guards will yet involve Jonas Valanciunas, which they should as they have now been paid.

8.  Detroit Pistons: Stan Van Gundy’s plan is pretty much Orlando Light. Stand a big time big man near the basket and surround him with shooters as they have in adding Jodie Meeks, D.J. Augustin and Caron Butler. Greg Monroe wants a max deal, which they won’t pay, appropriately, and they still could make a move with Josh Smith to the Kings. Now if only someone will take Brandon Jennings.

9. Atlanta Hawks: They’ll probably make the playoffs as I usually put them ninth and they always seem to figure a way in. And they should with Al Horford returning, which makes the East this season also a conference where someone deserving misses the playoffs. Maybe the commissioner should reseed so as not to cheat the East. They didn’t do much adding Thabo Sefolosha and trading Lou Williams. Cap room doesn’t mean much there as they lose out all the time, like Dallas.

10. Miami Heat: What was the point of getting a salary break from Dwyane Wade to not be in title contention? Better to have paid him off and got into free agency sooner. They pretty much bring the old gang back with Chalmers, Anderson and Haslem, though replacing James with Luol Deng will be tough on Deng and the community. And playing with a backcourt of players who don’t much pass, Deng figures to mostly enjoy the weather. We’re not likely to hear from Miami again as contenders for years to come.

11. Orlando Magic: It’s a very young team, still, with two more lottery picks and losing Jameer Nelson and Arron Afflalo. Though they made a nice addition with Channing Frye. They picked two of the draft’s better defenders and look like they are about to make a move. Or make some changes.

12. Brooklyn Nets: Paul Pierce left and Kevin Garnett returns. Not the best scenario for the Nets. Like the Bulls with Derrick Rose, a lot depends on the return of Brook Lopez, who isn’t as far along. They’re always trying something, so they added Jarrett Jack, though losing Shaun Livingston and Marcus Thornton offsets that. Replacing Jason Kidd as coach with Lionel Hollins probably was their best move of the summer.

13. Boston Celtics: They keep making opportunity moves, which are helpful, if not significant. They drafted Marcus Smart, so all the talk will be of the fate of free agent Rajon Rondo. They gave up some cap room for more picks and Tyler Zeller, added Thornton and gave a lot of money to Avery Bradley. So we’ll see about that.

14. Milwaukee Bucks: They’re no longer last. The draft was big in adding a franchise face in Jabari Parker. The Jason Kidd hiring is a likely disaster, though it is new owners. For now it’s probably still best to run out contracts.

15. Philadelphia 76ers: They lost 26 straight last season and still couldn’t finish last. So they drafted another player who couldn’t play this season in hopes of achieving their goals. By the time they can compete again, Michael Carter-Williams will be the losingest player in NBA history.

1.  Los Angeles Clippers. Had one of the better free agency pickups, though it was quiet, with Spencer Hawes. He’s much improved and gives them one of the best big man shooters. They lost backup guard Darren Collison, but should do OK with Jordan Farmar. Perhaps their greatest issue is how much the Donald Sterling saga hangs over the franchise.

2. San Antonio Spurs: Didn’t do much, which generally isn’t good for a champion. But they don’t spend much there and they got their guys back at mostly reasonable rates, though Patty Mills likely won’t play until a few months into the season. Heck, Popovich may do that anyway with the rest of the players.

3. New Orleans Pelicans: Of course, I also had them making the playoffs last season. But the pickup of Omer Asik was big to pair with the fast developing Anthony Davis. They’ll have Jrue Holiday and Ryan Anderson back and have a lot of scoring with Tyreke Evans and Eric Gordon, who should be ready to play as he heads into his player option year. They lost Anthony Morrow and Jason Smith, but are primed to make a move.

4. Oklahoma City Thunder: They make just minor moves, which may not be enough as pretty much everyone with cap room is now eying Kevin Durant for 2016. They get an unheralded shooter in Anthony Morrow and we’ll see if Sebastian Telfair can still play. But failing to keep James Harden continues to haunt them.

5. Golden State Warriors: Yes, this really is a tough conference. They didn’t do much, adding Livingston and losing Steve Blake for rookie coach Steve Kerr. They’ve involved in the Kevin Love talks, though appropriately won’t give up Klay Thompson, and Love likely will go to Cleveland. If, if, if they can keep Andrew Bogut healthy. They have enough if they can get through with some interior good health.

6. Portland Trail Blazers: They have quietly been winners every summer with subtle moves. Getting Steve Blake and Chris Kaman adds to the depth even with the likely loss of Mo Williams, who doesn’t much like backup roles. It’s a big season to finally get LaMarcus Aldridge signed.  

7. Memphis Grizzlies: They were one of the better teams after Marc Gasol’s return and they retained Zach Randolph, which surprised many. They lose Mike Miller, who had a surprisingly healthy season, but added Vince Carter in something of a surprise as well. Still short some long distance shooting, but could be a team that moves higher in Gasol’s free agency year.

8.  Houston Rockets: Big free agency loser as they basically gave up Jeremy Lin just to be able to talk to Chris Bosh on the telephone. They lose much of their depth in Lin and Asik and the glue guy Chandler Parsons and add Trevor Ariza, who they didn’t like before. They’ll be in a race to just get into the playoffs.

9. Denver Nuggets: Another team that can change like the Pelicans if they are healthy with Danilo Gallinari, JaVale McGee and Nate Robinson. They made a nice pickup getting back Aaron Afflalo for Evan Fournier. But they have to have money problems giving the Bulls that lottery pick for Doug McDermott to take Anthony Randolph. The Bulls also got Aaron Brooks, their free agent.

10. Dallas Mavericks: Have become an un destination. No one really ever wants to go there. So they way, way, way overpaid Chandler Parsons. They got Tyson Chandler back and offloaded Vince Carter and likely Shawn Marion. Dirk’s a trooper and took about half what he could have made, though you know he gets paid off on the other end, and should. But they lose a lot of shooting and Rashard Lewis and Devin Harris don’t answer that.  

11. Phoenix Suns: It’s going to be tough catching everyone sleeping on them again. They’re going to shoot even more adding shoot first point Isaiah “the wrong” Thomas, though Eric Bledsoe remains unsigned. They lose a solid veteran in Channing Frye and expect Gerald Green to do that again?

12. Sacramento Kings: They could break through some time as they’re obviously willing to make moves. Josh Smith? Now drafting another shooting guard you assume they dangle Ben McLemore. They invited DeMarcus Cousins to USA tryouts. What if he actually gets it? Darren Collison can’t shoot as well, but is a team upgrade over Isaiah Thomas.

13. Minnesota Timberwolves. It’s hard to see how they don’t do the Andrew Wiggins deal. Though it was a bad draft year in 2013, they’d get back to back overall No. 1s. It was fairly obvious his teammates were tired of Love. They add a flashy rookie in Zach LaVine and you could see them trying to save some money giving the Cavs the longer contract of Nikola Pekovic in the trade for Anderson Varejao and rebuilding yet again.

14. Utah Jazz: Not a bad free agency even if they seemed to overpay Gordon Hayward. But they keep him and get an impressive rookie in Dante Exum to play with Trey Burke. They have a lot of young talent, so we’ll see what’s up with Quin Snyder. Trevor Booker’s a good addition off the bench.

15. Los Angeles Lakers: Whom do you put them ahead of? Maybe the Timberwolves, though they could have Love until the trading deadline. It’s their worst ever free agency as they courted just about everyone and for the first time ever no one wanted to be in L.A.  Kobe’s going to be out of control watching this with Jeremy Lin, Carlos Boozer, Julius Randle and Nick Young.  Big money to keep Jordan Hill? Steve Nash hobbling. Though Pau Gasol taking about a third less than what the Lakers offered to go to Chicago is one of the biggest free agent upsets ever.

winners-and-losers-of-nba-free-agency

Winners and losers of NBA free agency

The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Chicago Bulls. All opinions expressed by Sam Smith are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Chicago Bulls or its Basketball Operations staff, parent company, partners, or sponsors. His sources are not known to the Bulls and he has no special access to information beyond the access and privileges that go along with being an NBA accredited member of the media. 

By Sam Smith | 06.25.2014 | 9:35 a.m. CT | asksam@bulls.com | @SamSmithHoops

That’s going to be a heck of a Bulls team for the 2014-15 season with LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Love. Or perhaps I didn’t listen to the reports clearly enough. James opted out of his contract with the Miami Heat and Anthony has opted out of his contract with the New York Knicks. And Love wants to be traded and the Minnesota Timberwolves are talking to teams. All true; so what’s the holdup? 

I hate to be Dr. Doom on this one, but most of that seems pretty unlikely. 

Start with the latest news that has ESPN gasping with excitement. James opted out of his contract to become an unrestricted free agent. Like with Anthony, it’s more a technicality as he can still resign with Miami for more money than any other team can pay. It’s more likely a challenge back to team president Pat Riley, who last week sort of called James a coward if he were to leave.  So James is countering and challenging Riley to show what he can do. Show him the money! 

It may go something like this: Riley and owner Micky Arison go to Dwyane Wade and ask him to opt out of his two years at about $42 million. They say they’ll give him a four-year deal paying maybe $50 million. Two years from now Wade isn’t getting a $4 million contract. Take it now and stay for life with Miami. They tell Chris Bosh to opt out and go somewhere reasonable, like Dallas or Houston. If he doesn’t, they’ll trade him to Philadelphia or Sacramento. Do the same deal with Udonis Haslem. The Heat then are far enough under the salary cap to resign at full salaries James and Carmelo Anthony. 

Anthony has been making it pretty clear his first choice is to play with buddy James. Once James, Anthony and Wade are on board, they’ll have a small exception and be able to add some minimum veterans who’ll take a chance with that team. Otherwise, Anthony probably returns to New York. If Miami cannot pull off a coup, James could be a good target for the Knicks in the summer of 2015. 

But most executives around the league feel the way James resuscitated his reputation the last few seasons, if he doesn’t resign with Miami he’d return to Cleveland. He’s likely the league’s only player who wants to be there. He keeps his home there and spends the summer there. The Cavs built their practice facility for him in Akron. Plus, the Cavs have Kyrie Irving and the No. 1 overall draft pick this year, for which there is growing demand. 

The Jazz likely would give up two starters and their No, 5 pick and there have been reports of multiple picks and players from Orlando and Boston. The Cavs with the likes of Tristan Thompson, Anderson Varejao, Dion Waiters and Tyler Zeller could put together an appealing team for James to rejoin. Now only if James has gotten over being mad at Dan Gilbert. And they’d probably have to fire David Blatt before he coaches his first NBA game. 

Every team would love to have James. If you get him, you are an automatic contender. He rejected going to the Bulls in 2010 when he could have come with Wade to join Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson and Derrick Rose before he was hurt. And he didn’t want to come then. 

He’s not going to live in Houston and spend the next four years looking for downtown. Plus, the Western Conference is not the place to insure you are getting to the Finals. The Bulls do have that going for them. Plus, Dwight Howard is just too goofy for him. The Clippers and buddy Chris Paul? Sorry, but Paul never lets go of the ball, which LeBron likes. Paul’s no spot up shooter. And they have way too many bad contracts for anyone to take them and no draft picks to use as bait. The Lakers? Sure, LeBron’s going to Kobe’s building to help Kobe get more titles? No chance. The Hawks? Former Cavs GM Danny Ferry now in Atlanta couldn’t find him players in Cleveland. LeBron likes being liked too much to become a mercenary again chasing players to help him rather than players coming to join him. Maybe it’s just for a year in Miami and then another look in 2015. 

But unless LeBron makes a quick decision, you’ll hear Dallas, Phoenix, Golden State, Oklahoma City (you want Russell Westbrook?) and Brooklyn as the latter can probably offer hidden gold mines. It could be a wild July. 

Next is Carmelo. He’d obviously prefer to play with James, who was at his wedding. No Bulls were spotted there. Most around the NBA seem to feel this is all about pushing the Knicks to go for a full, guaranteed five-year $129 million deal which Phil Jackson apparently isn’t thrilled about. No one can come close to that and four years from now at 34, Anthony, who doesn’t keep himself in the best of shape, isn’t likely to get an eight-figure contract. Without Anthony, it would be tough for the Knicks to attract a free agent in 2015 as Love would either be traded by then or go to the Lakers, his preferred destination, LaMarcus Aldridge likely will stay in Portland now that they have an All-Star point guard, and you don’t build with Rajon Rondo, Rudy Gay, David West, Marc Gasol or Al Jefferson, the main free agents assuming they don’t resign before then. So Jackson could be persuaded to give in to Anthony’s financial desires. 

Of course, Anthony could decide unilaterally he simply wants to be elsewhere, like Chicago. But then how much would he make and how many players would have to be released or traded? And would Anthony go to another team which had to strip its roster to accommodate him? The Rockets are pursuing Anthony as well and there will be several others. Though given his family’s preference for big cities and his connection with the Jordan brand, you’d assume Chicago is the only other option besides New York. 

Then there’s Love, who rumors had it could be traded by the draft Thursday until the rumors were he won’t be.   It seems unlikely the Bulls have any sort of package that appeals to Minnesota coach and general manager Flip Saunders. In pursuing Golden State’s Klay Thompson, Saunders has made it clear he wants offensive players for Love. Also, since the disastrous James Harden trade, teams have realized there’s no hurry and you can always trade a star. So the Timberwolves are said to be more likely to wait it out and maybe Golden State changes its mind this summer or even early next season if it starts off badly. Oklahoma City’s huge mistake was trading Harden early in the season when they could have played it out and seen what occurs. Portland did that last season with Aldridge, supposedly eying Chicago, and Aldridge is now said leaning to a long-term extension.  

Of course, no one predicted James would end up in Miami. So you never say never around the NBA when the fates depend on the mercurial nature of basketball players, their agents and sponsors.

While all the anticipation and activity of July free agency hovers, the business ahead is the NBA draft Thursday. Here’s a look at perhaps not so much what the Bulls will do but what the Bulls should do. 

whats-next-for-lebron-melo-and-love

What's next for LeBron, Melo and Love?

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