Plotting the dream offseason for the Chicago Bulls
By Will Eudy
The upcoming summer will be a big one for the Chicago Bulls. Riding the play of their veterans, the team is still chasing a playoff bid in the current season. Bulls management reportedly still believes this team has what it needs to compete in the postseason and make a deep run.
It would seem, however, that reality will set in sooner or later. Chicago's window for a playoff run likely closed a long time ago, and the front office will come to the realization that changes must be made. Bulls fans are likely to see huge decisions made this summer that will impact the direction of the franchise for years to come.
With that in mind, these are the steps the Bulls must take to pull off a dream offseason.
Get Patrick Williams back on a team-friendly deal
One of the team's best young players, Patrick Williams is playing in the final year of his rookie contract with the Bulls. Making $9.8 million this year, he will become a restricted free agent this coming offseason.
When a player is a restricted free agent, they can seek offers from other teams around the league, but their current team will have the ability to match any offer they receive and thus retain that player on the team. Williams' qualifying offer will be for $12.9 million.
Chicago's ability to keep Patrick will mostly depend on what other kind of offers he receives from around the association. The only scenario where Williams does not return to the Bulls is the unlikely one where another team is willing to overpay for him. The fact that he has been injured will likely help Chicago here.