Bulls and Heat Now With Tons of Cap Space

Chicago and Miami have been busy wheeling and dealing in the last few days, and are now each in position to nab two max players through free agency. The Akron Beacon Journal has the details: “The Hinrich trade, much like any free-agent signings, can’t become official until July 8. But the Bulls are suddenly in position to add any two of James, Chris Bosh, Carlos Boozer, Amare Stoudemire or any other premium free agent to a core that already includes Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah and Luol Deng. The Cavs’ quest for a title last season might ultimately hinder their chances of re-signing James. The Wizards were able to add Hinrich — and ultimately help the Bulls’ cause — because they unloaded the $13 million-plus owed Antawn Jamison next season to the Cavs. It means the Bulls, New York Knicks and perhaps the Heat will have enough cap space to offer two max contracts when free agency begins July 1. The Heat are inching closer to that status after their unorthodox move earlier this week, trading Daequan Cook and the No. 18 pick to drop down out of the first round and save an additional $3 million in payroll. The Heat are trying to clear enough space to re-sign their own star, Dwyane Wade, and surround him with two more max players. The Cook deal just might make that a possibility.”