Earlier today, we noted the Jazz were talking to the Bulls about a possible trade involving Nikola Mirotic, but it appears Utah will have some competition. The Pistons have also expressed interest in Mirotic, tweets Marc Stein of The New York Times, and the Trail Blazers could get involved as well, according to K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Tribune (Twitter link).
Chicago is hoping to get a first-round pick in exchange for Mirotic, Johnson adds. Utah, Detroit and Portland all have first-rounders to offer this year, with our latest Reverse Standings showing the Jazz at No. 11 and the Pistons and Blazers involved in a three-way tie for No. 18.
The Bulls are motivated to move Mirotic because he’ll be seeking a big payday when his current contract ends, Johnson explains (Twitter link). Zach LaVine and Kris Dunn will be free agents in 2018 and 2020 respectively, and the organization doesn’t want to give big deals to all three. The performance of rookie forward Lauri Markkanen also makes Mirotic expendable.
Mirotic is off to a career best start this season, averaging 17.4 points through 17 games and shooting 47% from 3-point range. He is making $12.5MM this year and has a team option for the same amount in 2018/19.
Mirotic, who doesn’t become eligible for a trade until Monday, has a no-trade clause, but has expressed a willingness to waive it to join a contender. The Bulls could eliminate that clause by picking up his option for next season before trading him.
“Impending free agency in 2020”
Might this have something to do with his fight vs Portis…lol
Nothing to do with that. They play well together. Too well, actually. Hurting their draft stock and He could net them another pick
It’s a few factors. By a lot of it does have to do with Portis. You don’t deal a guy three months after re-signing him unless something changed.
Not really. That “something” is Mirotic’s value – it has gone up pretty significantly since they signed him. They would’ve been lucky to get a second round pick for him last year, but with the way he’s playing, it’s looking like they could get a mid-first rounder. It’s a no brainer to move him right now.
Blazers
Y would the Jazz send a high pick for him? They hit a huge homerun on Mitchell. I’d say try to make it 2 in a row and have a nice young duo
If the Jazz offered their top pick already, then the Bulls would’ve pulled the trigger. So Clearly they haven’t offered that yet.
Thought is that Detroit at 18 sounds about right (maybe a touch more) for Mirotic. So if Utah does want him, they’d prolly have to offer at least their 1st rd pick to get him.
False. Mirotic can’t be traded until Jan 15th because he re-signed with the team this past offseason and so Bulls have to wait until that deadline to accept any deal
He can’t be dealt till the 15th.
Trade Meyers Leonard & draft pick. Bulls front office are the right organization to accept this trade.
Trade Meyers Leonard & draft pick for Mirotic. He would fit in nice with Portland
“The performance of rookie forward Lauri Markkanen also makes Mirotic expandable.”
HE WON’T STOP GROWING!!!