Bulls lock up Butler, Dunleavy
It's never a bad day to be an NBA player. But Wednesday's opening of free agency 2015 was especially good for any player not tied to a contract.
Boosted by knowledge their television revenue will make a significant jump soon, NBA owners weren't shy about drawing up large contracts on what was likely the most expensive day in league history.
In comparison, the Bulls seemed relatively frugal by locking up guard Jimmy Butler and forward Mike Dunleavy. Coming off his first all-star season, Butler agreed to a maximum contract worth roughly $90 million over five years. He reportedly will have an option to become a free agent after the fourth season. The exact value of the deal won't be known until the league sets the new salary cap and maximum salaries on July 10.
Dunleavy, 34, agreed to a three-year deal worth a reported $14.4 million. When he first signed with the Bulls in 2013, Dunleavy received $6 million over two years.
This time there was competition, with rumors Cleveland was interested in snapping up the veteran forward, although the Cavs wouldn't have much money available for outside free agents.
So the Bulls accomplished their two primary goals of the off-season in less than 24 hours. Since Butler was a restricted free agent and the Bulls could match any offer from another team, there was never a chance he would leave town this summer.
Barring a surprise trade, the Bulls will return essentially the same roster as last season. Butler, Dunleavy, Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, Pau Gasol, Taj Gibson, Nikola Mirotic, Tony Snell, Doug McDermott and Kirk Hinrich are under contract, and rookie forward Bobby Portis makes 11. E'Twaun Moore and Cameron Bairstow both have non-guaranteed deals for next season and are strong possibilities to return.
The one spot to fill is a backup point guard. It's not clear if Aaron Brooks is still an option to return, but the Bulls figure to pursue guys like Houston's Patrick Beverly, Dallas' J.J. Barea, the Lakers' Ronnie Price and Denver's Jameer Nelson, among others.
The Bulls' plan is to give the group assembled last year — with Gasol on the inside, a healthy Rose and more 3-point shooters on the perimeter — another chance with a new coaching staff. Head coach Fred Hoiberg is expected to use a more up-tempo, offensive style.
What we haven't had so far, as of Wednesday evening, was any sort of shift in the balance of power, but that could happen soon.
• The top free agent expected to switch teams is Portland's LaMarcus Aldridge. He's believed to be looking seriously at joining San Antonio. Phoenix has been mentioned as a potential destination, even though the Suns are out of cap space.
Another big man hanging in the balance is Clippers' center DeAndre Jordan. He figures to either stay in L.A. or jump to Dallas.
• The Eastern Conference contenders held relatively steady. Cleveland was able to retain forward Kevin Love for $110 million over five years. The Cavs also agreed to re-sign Iman Shumpert (four years, $40 million) and were expected to close on forward Tristen Thompson.
That's good news for Cleveland's championship push, but once LeBron James gets a new deal, the Cavs' payroll will be above $100 million next season, and they still need to re-sign J.R. Smith and Matthew Dellavedova.
Atlanta lost defensive-minded forward DeMarre Carroll to Toronto (four years, $60 million) but managed to keep forward Paul Millsap (three years, $59 million) after a battle with Orlando. The Hawks also are expected to add Spurs center Tiago Splitter in a salary-shedding trade.
• The list of players who changed teams Wednesday also includes Tyson Chandler (from Dallas to Phoenix), Paul Pierce (Washington to Clippers), Amir Johnson (Toronto to Boston), Brandan Wright (Phoenix to Memphis) and Al Farouq-Aminu (Dallas to Portland).
One to watch is Dallas guard Monta Ellis, who reportedly visited with Indiana on Wednesday. Indiana power forward David West is still in play, as is Detroit forward Greg Monroe, who is getting interest from Milwaukee, Portland and New York.
• Other players who agreed to terms with their current teams were Danny Green and Kawhi Leonard in San Antonio, Brook Lopez and Thaddeus Young in Brooklyn, Phoenix guard Brandon Knight, Miami guard Goran Dragic and Milwaukee guard Khris Middleton. Every player on that list will get $10 million or more per season.
There was nothing official on Memphis center Marc Gasol, but he's expected to stay with the Grizzlies. Memphis is the only American city Gasol has ever known. He moved there as a high school student when older brother Pau was drafted by the Grizzlies and has played in Memphis for seven years.
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