The math was pretty straightforward from a math perspective: Chicago had 16 guaranteed contracts lined up but can only have 15 players on the roster once the season starts. Someone had to go.
Antonio Blakeney, at a guard spot the Bulls feel they have depth and with a minimum contract, was always the likely guy not to have a chair when the music stopped. The Bulls decided to make a move early to give Blakeney time to find a new home. Shams Charania of The Athletic broke the news.
The Chicago Bulls and guard Antonio Blakeney are parting ways, with the team planning to release him, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 7, 2019
Antonio Blakeney and the Bulls reached agreement on a contract buyout today, sources said, allowing him to be a free agent after clearing waivers. https://t.co/vtWo9XxgV1
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 7, 2019
What that means is Shaquille Harrison is on the roster.
Once Antonio Blakeney goes through waivers, the guard is eligible to be claimed by any team in the NBA except for Golden State and Miami. Both teams are restricted because of the hard cap. Blakeney last yr. signed a two-year minimum contract that carries a $1.6M cap hit in 19-20.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) September 7, 2019
Roster spot no. 15 in Chicago will now become occupied by guard Shaquille Harrison. The 25-year old signed a $1.6M contract during the summer that has $175K in partial salary protection.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) September 7, 2019
Blakeney went undrafted out of LSU but got a spot on the Bulls 2017 Summer League team and played his way into a two-way contract. After that, the Bulls gave him a two-year contract at the minimum and he played in 57 games last season for Chicago, but did not look to be part of the future.
There’s a good chance another team looking for guard depth, or facing an injury early in training camp or the season, will give Blakeney a look.
