The Bulls will have room under the salary cap this summer for the first time since their celebrated ?full-boat? free-agent quests of 2000 and 2001.

Back then, when the team was horrible, the arrival of a future free agent such as Tracy McGrady or Eddie Jones was one of the few highlights on the schedule.

Thankfully for Bulls fans, times have changed. Saturday at the United Center, the Bulls got their first look this season at Atlanta?s Al Harrington, who could end up being their No. 1 target in free agency this summer.

As auditions go, this wasn?t a very good one. With Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf watching from his suite, Harrington produced 13 points and 4 rebounds, while hitting 5 of 15 shots. The Bulls survived a late comeback to turn back the Hawks 111-99.

The Bulls tried to trade for Harrington, a 6-foot-9 forward, in 2003 when he played for Indiana, but the Pacers wouldn?t accept an offer of the No. 7 draft pick. The Bulls ended up keeping the pick and selected Luol Deng, who scored 18 points Saturday.

Overall this season, Harrington, 25, is averaging 18.9 points, 7.0 rebounds and shooting 46.3 percent. A possible future with the Bulls is definitely on his mind.

?Obviously, they?re one of the top teams on my list as a free agent,? Harrington said. ?They?re right there. This house is definitely going to be a situation I?m going to look at in free agency and if it?s a fit, I?ll be here.?

The Bulls have a spot available for Harrington at power forward and believe he could fit in with their plan of a hard-working, unselfish team.

?They?re doing a great job of putting this team together,? Harrington said of the Bulls. ?Everybody complements each other well. I think the biggest thing that they?re missing is a person like myself that would be a post presence night in and night out. That?s why, obviously, I think this would be a good situation and I?m sure management feels that way also."