Rockets Offer Omer Asik $24 Million... Will Bulls match?

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Jul 2, 2012 5:40PM

Bulls management has long maintained that they would match any offer that restricted free agent Omer Asik received. Now, the Bulls have to act as the restricted free agent received a monster offer from the Houston Rockets.

Houston offered the third year center a three-year, $24.3 million deal, putting the Bulls in a challenging spot. Not only is the deal larger than many expected, but the back-loaded deal also includes a hefty final year salary of over $14 million.

Backing up Joakim Noah, the "Turkish Hammer" made a name for himself with his defense, while averaging 3.1 points and 5.3 rebounds in 14.7 minutes per game last season. But with Derrick Rose, Luol Deng, Carlos Boozer and Noah already promised eight figures and Taj Gibson also due a big raise, can the Bulls afford to keep Asik? With quality big men hard to come by, can they afford not to? If the Bulls decide to pony up and keep Asik, that would create more financial pressure on the team as it tries to fill out the backcourt. However, with the amnesty clause in the most recent collective bargaining agreement the Bulls could alleviate some of the financial strain by waiving Carlos Boozer prior to the 2014-15 season.

Gar Forman and John Paxson dazzled fans and critics by assembling an instant contender in the wake of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh's decision to team up in Miami. They then spent last summer with little to do other than shore up the two guard spot. This off-season will give the Bulls front office another chance to prove just how smart they are, as there is much work to be done affecting the Bulls in both the short and long term.