Though management isn’t commenting publicly, these moves would suggest the Bulls won’t match (Omer) Asik’s offer, which contains a so-called “poison pill” third-year salary of close to $14.9 million. The Rockets waived Jon Leuer and Jerome Jordan on Wednesday and will sign Asik to his offer sheet when those players clear the 48-hour waiver process.

Once formally presented with the offer sheet, the Bulls will have three days to match or decline. Asik met with Rockets officials here Tuesday, including dinner with coach Kevin McHale.

Collective bargaining agreement rules allow the Rockets to spread Asik’s salary cap hit evenly over three seasons, at roughly $8.33 million annually. The Bulls would be charged salary-cap hits of $5 million in 2012-13, $5.2 million in 2013-14 and $14.9 million in 2014-15, a season in which they already have $18.9 million committed to Derrick Rose and $12.2 million to Joakim Noah. Carlos Boozer, due $16.8 million that season, likely will be an amnesty cut by then.

via K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune