The Bulls have a lot of salary-cap related questions when it comes to re-tooling while also letting their roster recuperate. It's going to be very interesting to see how they treat next season, as well as their future salary obligations.
So be mindful, yet wary, of what those close to the team suggest could be happening. They no-doubt have ideas of what to expect based on what they're hearing form the team, but some of it could be presented in a less-than-accurate light.
As an example of the latter, the Sun-Times is way off base with this:
The Bulls hold options on Kyle Korver, Ronnie Brewer and C.J. Watson, but they aren't all likely to return because the Bulls need to clear some cap space to re-sign Gibson, who will be eligible for free agency after next season...the Bulls will be bumping their head on the salary-cap ceiling. No matter how much they might want to keep Watson and Korver, something will have to give.
As readers here know: it's the tax, not the cap, and you can plow your head right through that 'ceiling', as long as you're willing to pay.
I'm not saying that's the best option, but it shouldn't be ignored as one. At the least: frame it as something the Org. is unwilling to do instead of unable to do.
KC Johnson is more accurate, but it's a similarly tepid message:
[the luxury tax] is projected to rise only nominally while becoming more punitive in the future...the Bulls basically are hamstrung for making significant upgrades to the roster for next season. Call it a treading water season until Rose and Deng get fully healthy, and the team makes a playoff push.
This is just 'informed speculation', but it is informed. We also have history as our guide to suggest that we shouldn't expect any salary additions...and if anything should expect subtractions. But always remember it's a choice of theirs, not an obligation.