News from July 15.

The July moratorium has expired and teams may now sign or re-sign free
agents.  The salary cap for 03-04 is $43.84 million.  The mid-level 
exception is $4.917 - teams over the salary cap are allowed to use all or 
some of that exception to sign free agents.

The NBA reorganized their officiating department.  Ronnie Nunn, who just
retired after 18 seasons as an NBA ref, was named as director of officials.
Ed T. Rush, who had been the director of officiating for the past 5 
seasons, was named as director of officiating programs.  Paul Brazeau was 
named as director of officiating performance analysis.

Chicago signed 1st round draft pick (#7) Kirk Hinrich to a 3 year,
$7,049,640 contract with a 4th year worth $3,192,628 at the team's option.

The NBA elected not to grant a salary cap injury exception to Orlando for 
Grant Hill.

Chicago named Johnny Bach as an assistant coach.