The Bulls have officially waived camp invitees Marko Jaric and Ryan Allen, the team announced today in a press release. The pair of cuts reduces Chicago's roster to 13 players, meaning the team is likely set for the regular season.
Jaric and Allen were among the five free agents the Bulls invited to camp this month, but like the other three, who have also been released, they were long shots to earn roster spots. Although teams can carry up to 15 players in the regular season, the Bulls are up against a hard cap, with only about $758K of breathing room. Chicago would have needed to make a corresponding roster move to clear space for either player's minimum-salary deal.
As is, the Bulls will be eligible to sign a veteran player without trading or releasing another player as of November 19th, when the amount of the veteran-minimum salary prorates to fit within their cap parameters.
Any notable free agents that might be available to sign on November 19?
These guys are all still out there for now: link to hoopsrumors.com…
— Luke
Bulls will keep their cap space open for flexibility in hopes to land someone unexpected who is waived or comes off waivers after trade deadline. They may sign someone if an injury happens but for the most part their roster is set and they want to focus on the “core” guys right now.
slight correction: Even Allen couldn’t have been signed.
Even though he’d be making less as a rookie minimum, he’s ‘charged’ to the cap at the 2-year vet minimum that Jaric would be. This is to discourage teams from freezing out older players due to the minimum salary difference. The exception is if the Bulls drafted him, but they didn’t have any 2nd-rounders this year.
Appreciate the correction, thanks.
— Luke
its a good thing Marko Jaric wife brings home the bacon.