Bulls offering Nocioni $38M

By K.C. Johnson
Tribune staff reporter

Several twists and turns still could develop before the free-agent signing moratorium ends July 11.

But for one relatively quiet holiday, some momentum swung the Bulls' way in the wooing of Andres Nocioni.



As one of only three teams with significant cap room now that the Orlando Magic has reached an oral agreement with Rashard Lewis, the Memphis Grizzlies are weighing their options with interest in Nocioni as well as Cavaliers restricted free agent Anderson Varejao.

The longer the Grizzlies wait, however, the more attractive a Bulls offer that already is on the table could become.

A source said the Bulls' five-year offer starts near $6.3 million to $6.4 million for the first season. Factoring in a 10.5 percent increase of the first season's salary annually, the total package sits at approximately $38.1 million to $38.7 million.

The Bulls could increase that offer and also would have seven days to match any offer sheet Nocioni signed with Memphis. General manager John Paxson has vowed to match any offers for his hyperactive forward.

Per the collective bargaining agreement, the Bulls are allowed to offer Nocioni a six-year contract. Sources said the Grizzlies have yet to tender Nocioni an official offer.

It's unclear whether any oral offers or promises of an offer have been made. Nocioni is believed to be the Grizzlies' No. 1 target. The Grizzlies, however, can offer only an 8 percent increase in their package. Thus, a five-year offer starting at $7 million is worth $40.6 million, a figure the Bulls almost surely would match.

Should the Grizzlies start a five-year package at $8 million, that deal would be worth $46.4 million. That number might give Paxson pause, although nothing on the Grizzlies' roster beyond Pau Gasol interests the Bulls in sign-and-trade scenarios.

And Paxson has vowed not to lose Nocioni for nothing.

There are no indications the Grizzlies will make Gasol available. In fact, contradicting that notion, the Memphis Commercial Appeal reported that Gasol personally recruited Nocioni with a phone call while new Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace visited Nocioni in Buenos Aires.

Nocioni has told contacts in Argentina that he liked Wallace and believes he could fit in well with new coach Marc Iavaroni's envisioned up-tempo system.

I don't like this. Nocioni could be a good scorer off the bench, but he deserves a team that can give him a starting spot. He's good enough to start on alot of teams except it just so happens that our franchise player is a SF. Im not a numbers guy but isn't 6.3 million pretty much for a bench player?

Its a fair offer in the NBA today. Hell Luke Walton just got $30 million from LA on a 5 year deal, and Noc would mop the floor with him, not to mention Andres does play defense.

I do agree that we will see a sign and trade deal done with Noc. Its too bad, because I love watching the guy play, but we are so loaded at his position, he has no mintues with us.