Omer

Asik

Asik was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, and that will end his NBA career. The league granting Chicago this exception will open up an additional $3 million in cap space for them this summer, giving them a total of $23 million to work with. They are expected to split that $23 million between two players and then use the room mid-level exception to sign a third guy.

Asik was waived in October as he struggled with arthritis and Crohn’s disease. The move would save Chicago about $3 million in cap space this summer, and it’s unlikely we’ll see Asik play again in the NBA.

Asik is currently out indefinitely due to inflammatory arthritis and might not play in the NBA again. Asik is owed $11.2 million this season and is under contract for 2019-20 at $11.9 million, but only $3 million of next year’s salary is guaranteed. The Bulls are adding Shaquille Harrison with the roster spot created by this transaction.

This move was first reported on Saturday, with the Bulls using the roster spot created by Asik’s waiving to sign guard Shaq Harrison. Asik is not expected to play this season.

Per Chicago’s press release, Asik has been receiving ongoing medical treatment and management, but his return to basketball activities is yet to be determined. Very little fantasy impact here, as even if he was 100 percent healthy, Asik wouldn’t be on the fantasy radar.

Asik is unlikely to garner an offer the Bulls can’t match. The 7-foot Turkish product will turn just 26 in July, but has shown very little offensive upside during his two years in the NBA. He’ll most likely return as a backup to Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer.

Noah was not moving particularly well in warmups and was noticeably grimacing in pain when he tried to cut. At this point, it would be a surprise if he plays at all. Omer Asik is once again listed as the Bulls’ starting center.

Beat writer K.C. Johnson is still calling Joakim Noah (ankle) unlikely to play even though he warmed up, though stranger things have happened in Chicago with injury-related decisions.

The Bulls can blame the losses of Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah, but their philosophy of running their players into the ground and unimaginative offense take a lot of the luster off of media darling Tom Thibodeau. Watson had a rough stretch late with a blocking foul and bad iso possession, and ultimately his late pass to career 48 percent free throw shooter Omer Asik will be etched on this year’s grave. Asik (10 and nine) missed both freebies with a one point lead and Andre Iguodala took the rebounded miss back to the house for two FTs of his own, sealing the game. Carlos Boozer will also get crushed after his 1-of-11 shooting night, Rip Hamilton went for 19 and eight, and Taj Gibson scored 14 points with five boards and two blocks.

Tom Thiobdeau said on Monday that Noah was “most likely out,” and we still don’t expect him to play. He hasn’t started running on his ankle, and Noah suffered a “severe” ankle sprain. Thibodeau has already confirmed that Omer Asik will start regardless of Noah’s availability. Check back for an update before tipoff, but we’d be very surprised if Noah suited up.