Buyouts could provide an opportunity for the Bulls

We’re talking buyouts.

The Bulls have been cautious and smart in not wasting their money on backup D-League players or reserves, and they might now be in good position to make a more major move in the next week or so. That’s because up until March 1, teams can pick up a player if he has agreed to a buyout with his team and he’d still be eligible for the playoffs. The Bulls appear to be one of the teams prepared for such a situation given they remain about $1.3 million below the salary cap.

That means they can pay a player more than $1 million who has negotiated a buyout instead of the prorated NBA minimum of a few hundred thousand dollars. Thus, the player can make back perhaps all he has given up to get his buyout.

It is widely expected that power forward Troy Murphy, who is said to be waiting to be part of a potential Carmelo Anthony deal if the Nets are involved, is the prime candidate for a buyout. League executives generally believe he’ll end up in Orlando, which got weaker on the front line after moving Marcin Gortat. “That’s what I think Otis (Smith) is waiting for,” said one general manager. The Spurs also have been mentioned as a possibility for Murphy.

Basically, the buyout candidates are those players in the final year of their contracts, like Eddy Curry of the Knicks as well. If he’s not part of the Anthony deal, he’ll likely be bought out or more likely released. Who knows if he can play or even wants to. Maybe it’s worth a look for someone for a few months.

The most intriguing player to me is Detroit’s Tayshaun Prince. This business about Richard Hamilton being bought out seems ludicrous unless he were to give up $10 million. Detroit owes $25 million for the next two seasons after this. He’s likely not giving that up and they aren’t about to pay him and let him walk away for a few million dollars.