CHICAGO, Aug. 1 -- The Chicago Bulls, who had been frustrated in their efforts to lure any of the top free agents this offseason, finally found a player who wanted to take their money late Tuesday in guard Ron Mercer, who finished last season with the Orlando Magic.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but it is likely that Mercer, who will be introduced at a news conference on Wednesday, will sign a six-year, $67 million deal.
Chicago is one of three teams, along with Orlando and the Los Angeles Clippers, that have considerable room available under the salary cap.
The Bulls went into the offseason with about $20 million in salary cap room, giving them the opportunity to sign two free agents to maximum deals, which begin at $9 million per season. Chicago lands Mercer after failing in its bid to land any of the top free agents available.
Both Grant Hill of the Detroit Pistons and Toronto's Tracy McGrady were wooed by the Bulls but turned them down. The Bulls also have been snubbed by San Antonio Spurs superstar forward Tim Duncan and Milwaukee Bucks forward Tim Thomas.
The 24-year-old Mercer, who was selected sixth overall in 1997 by the Boston Celtics, will be joining his fourth team. He was acquired by Denver from Boston on Aug. 3, 1999, before the Nuggets dealt the impending free agent to the Magic prior to the trading deadline last season.
Mercer will immediately move into a starting spot for the Bulls, who have gone a woeful 30-102 over the last two seasons. Chicago went just 17-65 this past season.
In 68 games last season with Denver and Orlando, Mercer averaged 16.9 points per contest. The 6-7 former Kentucky star has a career average of 16.2 points in 189 games.
