LeBron James briefly interrupted the first day of NBA free agency to let the world know he won't re-sign with the Los Angeles Lakers. The news will have a trickle-down effect across the league, but for the Chicago Bulls, it means the Lakers have more resources to pursue and steal key free agents like Peyton Watson and Walker Kessler.
The James news, while somewhat unsurprising, was quickly pushed to the back burner by the announcement that the Clippers will trade Kawhi Leonard back "home" to the Toronto Raptors.
But LeBron's next and final destination (it has to be, right?) will be one of the storylines that will define next season.
The Bulls are hoping that storyline has absolutely zero impact on them.
LeBron James' Lakers decision could alter Bulls free agency plans
LeBron James will play a 24th NBA season. To repeat, LeBron James will play a 24th NBA season!
It just won't be with the Los Angeles Lakers.
James "informed the Los Angeles Lakers that the franchise can move on without him because he will play elsewhere," Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul said per Shams Charania of ESPN.
The Lakers, who didn't seem in a rush to re-sign the 41-year-old, now have a projected $52 million in cap space to upgrade a roster around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, per ESPN cap guru Bobby Marks.
After acquiring Nic Claxton, Marks has the Bulls down for $31 million in available cap room.
LA is reportedly after the same group of free agents, one that includes Watson and Kessler. Both are restricted free agents, meaning the Denver Nuggets and Utah Jazz, respectively, can match any offer the Bulls or Lakers toss their way.
That gives cap space teams like Chicago — and now LA — an advantage, the latter of which is unfortunate for Chicago.
Watson, one of the NBA's emerging 3-and-D wings, would be an ideal addition for Bulls executive VP of basketball operations Bryson Graham. Kessler, meanwhile, is a 7-foot-2 behemoth who's quickly become one of the league's best shot blockers and rim finishers.
The Bulls are reportedly targeting other free agents, including Norman Powell, who would be a snug fit as the kind of scoring guard Chicago doesn't have on the roster.
But Watson, and to an extent Kessler, should be Graham's top free agent priorities. Thanks to LeBron's latest decision (pun intended), he just got more competition.
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