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The deadline for Bulls options on Ronnie Brewer's $4.37 million and C.J. Watson's $3.2 million salaries has arrived. A decision on Kyle Korver's $5 million option is due by Sunday.
In the wake of Kirk Hinrich's signing, Watson's camp already has been told his option won't be picked up. Brewer long has been considered the most expendable of the three because Jimmy Butler, last year's first-round pick, will assume his role.
Because of his shooting specialty, Korver has a slim chance to return and hasn't been told definitively either way. Sources said the Bulls are exploring sign-and-trade possibilities for all three players in an attempt to avoid losing assets for nothing.
One intriguing option would be swingman C.J. Miles, an unrestricted free agent who has started for the Jazz and could add athleticism.
Once Hinrich is signed, the Bulls will have roughly $67.3 million of committed salaries for nine players next season. The projected luxury tax line is $70.3 million, which the Bulls are almost certain to exceed for the first time in franchise history.
The Big 'O': Omer Asik is poised to sign his three-year offer sheet Wednesday with the Rockets, the value of which will be determined once the league's audit is finished Tuesday and salary cap figures are established. It will be worth between $24 million and $25 million, with a "poison pill" third year of up to $14.9 million.
This season is set up to suck.
In the wake of Kirk Hinrich's signing, Watson's camp already has been told his option won't be picked up. Brewer long has been considered the most expendable of the three because Jimmy Butler, last year's first-round pick, will assume his role.
Because of his shooting specialty, Korver has a slim chance to return and hasn't been told definitively either way. Sources said the Bulls are exploring sign-and-trade possibilities for all three players in an attempt to avoid losing assets for nothing.
One intriguing option would be swingman C.J. Miles, an unrestricted free agent who has started for the Jazz and could add athleticism.
Once Hinrich is signed, the Bulls will have roughly $67.3 million of committed salaries for nine players next season. The projected luxury tax line is $70.3 million, which the Bulls are almost certain to exceed for the first time in franchise history.
The Big 'O': Omer Asik is poised to sign his three-year offer sheet Wednesday with the Rockets, the value of which will be determined once the league's audit is finished Tuesday and salary cap figures are established. It will be worth between $24 million and $25 million, with a "poison pill" third year of up to $14.9 million.
