The Chicago Bulls and the New Orleans Pelicans agreed to a trade that would send Nikola Mirotic to New Orleans in return for Omer Asik and the Pelicans’ 2018 1st round pick. Woj dropped the bomb, and everyone on Twitter was talking about it. And then, as suddenly as the deal came together, it fell apart.
Nikola Mirotic’s contract includes a no-trade clause for this season, and a $12.5 million team option next year. Reports indicate that, without a guarantee that the team option will be picked up, Mirotic is unwilling to accept a deal.
This doesn’t mean a trade won’t happen. The Bulls can pick up Mirotic’s option prior to trading him, and take away his power to veto. This also guarantees his contract for next season, and may make him a less appealing target. But there still figures to be plenty of interest.
Rumors are that Utah and Chicago remain in trade talks, and that Mirotic fancies the idea of playing for Coach Quin Snyder and alongside fellow Spaniard Ricky Rubio. Derrick Favors and a 1st round pick has got to be a more attractive option for the Bulls than a reunion with the now 31 year old Asik.
Mirotic is playing the best basketball of his NBA career, just shy of his 27th birthday, averaging career-highs almost across the board. His 16.8 points and 6.4 rebounds, shooting 47% from the field, 43% from 3pt, and 83% from the free throw line are all the best numbers he’s put up in the NBA. His value as a stretch 4 on a playoff team is hard to ignore, and I expect Chicago to find a way to get a deal done before the deadline.
Which team do you think Mirotic will be playing for after February 8th?
Interact with @TLSportsMedia on twitter, or with me personally at @Dubey23 and let us know!!
