Well this is certainly surprising. Do Gar Forman and John Paxson have a secret stash of cap space they’re not telling us about?
According to a recent report from The Vertical‘s Shams Charania, the Chicago Bulls are among the teams expected to pursue impending free agent Andre Iguodala.
“Many teams are expected to pursue discussions with Iguodala, including the Warriors, Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Clippers, Chicago Bulls, Minnesota Timberwolves and Atlanta Hawks, league sources said. Among teams around the league, there’s a belief that the value this summer for a two-way wing such as Iguodala could reach $20 million annually.” – Shams Charania
In What World?
Let’s stop right there. If Iguodala is looking for a deal that pays him somewhere in the neighborhood of $20 million annually, the Bulls can’t afford him. Okay, technically, if lots of unexpected things happen they could.
If Dwyane Wade shocks everyone by opting out of the second year of his deal, the Bulls could afford Iguodala. If the Bulls shock everybody by buying out the second year of Rajon Rondo’s deal, they might be able to afford him. If they surprise everybody by not re-signing Nikola Mirotic and/or Cristiano Felicio, they’d get closer to being able to afford him.
Then there’s this:
“Iguodala plans to seriously consider other teams in July, league sources told The Vertical. Prospective teams would need to show in meetings a vision to move toward contention to pry Iguodala from Golden State, league sources said.” – Shams Charania
Can GarPax convince Iguodala that the Bulls are moving toward contention? Convince him thoroughly enough to pry him away from what looks to be a dynasty in the making in Golden State? Short answer: no.
The Warriors have their work cut out for them this offseason. Before worrying about Igoudala or Shaun Livingston, they need to lock down their two MVPs Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant. If Andre really is looking for a big payday instead of more rings, he might actually leave. Personally, I see him taking a pay cut to stay with the team that undoubtedly enters next season as favorites to repeat.
Even if Iguodala does decide it’s time to move on from Golden State, the Bulls can’t be anywhere near the top of his list. Which is fine, because they likely won’t be able to afford his services anyway.
Then again…GarPax signed Wade and Rondo after vowing to get “younger and more athletic” this time last year. They also (Gar, especially) continue to bring up their expected cap flexibility in 2018 because of their lack of long term contracts. Based on their nature of saying one thing and doing the opposite, signing Iguodala (33) for $20 million annually sounds like the next logical move.
