I'm no capologist, so I have a question for any of you that know how the NBA's salary cap and luxury tax system work:

There's a lot of talk about the Bulls not likely to exceed next year's cap in the free agency orgasm to avoid paying the tax. That's where I'm confused. Luxury tax is not enforced upon passing the cap, rather it's enforced after passing the luxury tax threshold. Even if the Bulls are to resign Tyrus for the QO of 6.25 million and (gulp) retain John Salmons and his 5.8 million dollar contract next year, the payroll sits at ~44 million. This year's tax threshold is 69.92 million. Assuming that goes down next year to say, 65 million, that leaves the Bulls roughly 21 million dollars to get a big name guy, leaving three empty roster spots, which could be filled with the remaining dollars.

All that said, I've seen several people on this site talk about the Bulls not being able to afford a max-contract guy. Am I missing something, as after doing the math the Bulls have more than enough room for a max contract(~16 million) before hitting the tax threshold?