With Nikola Mirotic getting closer to his return to the court, there has been no progress toward resolving his feud with Bobby Portis, reports Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times.
A preseason altercation between the Bulls teammates left Mirotic hospitalized with two broken facial bones. His recovery has gone well and he was able to increase his activity this week at the team facility.
“Niko had a really good week of workouts,’’ coach Fred Hoiberg said. “He’s continuing to ramp up his activity. He had good strength workouts and he’s increasing his workload on the floor, so we’re hoping to get him back with the team shortly.’’
Still, Hoiberg isn’t sure when the fourth-year forward might be cleared to start practicing again.
Complicating that process is Mirotic’s resentment toward Portis. His representatives reportedly told the team earlier this month that Portis had to be traded before he would return to the team. If that doesn’t happen, Mirotic would be willing to waive his no-trade clause so that he can be dealt when he becomes eligible in mid-January.
Mirotic’s camp hasn’t pressed that demand since first making it, but it remains in place, according to Cowley.
The Bulls, who don’t see a strong trade market for either player, continue to hope that a truce can be worked out. VP of basketball operations John Paxson has stressed that the priority is what’s best for the organization, and the preference from the front office is that Portis and Mirotic find a way to get through the season so any trade can take place next summer.
Idiots.
LOL too true
Remember all that unnecessary crap that was reported with the Irving trade? I bet Niko comes back and they play together and the reporters are the only ones that keep stirring the pot since they have nothing better to do.
Pretty sure Kyrie didn’t break LeBron’s jaw…
Based on his reputation, Niko probably deserved the punch, but it’s hard not to agree with the guy. I know I wouldn’t want to continue working with a guy that broke my jaw regardless of the salary involved.
I’m sure Mirotic will feel better about things once he returns the ‘favor’. And why wouldn’t he?– he would get set aside for awhile, but right now he’s probably not a Bulls fan, feeling betrayed.
This situation could have been averted by holding off the suspension until the injury is healed, so that Mirotic would not have to return to a team with Portis established.
Could he be a viable center on a good team pushing smallball? (i.e. Cavs)
Meanwhile, Okafor is rumored to be had for a 2nd round pick, trade em both and grab Okafor