NBA Free Agency 2017: 5 most puzzling contract decisions

3. Bulls sign Cristiano Felicio to four-years, $32 million

There is value to be found from bidding slightly high on a player as free agency opens and reaching an early agreement. Bidding wars drives the price up and those early deals can often become the some of the best values. But when the Bulls announced that they had re-signed Cristiano Felicio to a $32 million dollar deal, decidedly few thought this to be a value signing.

If the Bulls made Felicio a generous offer to avoid a bidding war over their restricted free agent, it’s unclear who else would have made a pricey bid for him. That became evident as free agency played out. Superior big men like Alan Williams, Dewayne Dedmon, Mike Muscala, and Aron Baynes all got less money than Felicio this summer. It is pretty clear that the Bulls didn’t judge the market for young centers correctly and that decision will cost them over the next four seasons.

While Felicio is only 25-years-old and will still improve, but he hasn’t shown the ability to be more than a backup big. Felicio earned Chicago’s backup center role last season and averaged 4.8 points, 4.7 rebounds and .3 blocks per game last season. His per-36 numbers of 10.9 points and 10.8 rebounds aren’t exactly eye-popping either. If the Brazilian big man stood out as a rim defender then he could be a starting quality center, but he’s roughly average in that department. To put it bluntly: he’s just another average big man in a league where there are always plenty of those available. Chicago overpaid their young center.