As part of the trade that will send Nikola Mirotic to New Orleans, the Bulls will receive three players: Omer Asik, Tony Allen, and Jameer Nelson. While initial reports indicated that the Bulls would likely waive both Allen and Nelson, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski tweets that the club is now planning to keep Nelson on its roster.
K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Tribune first reported (via Twitter) that the Bulls wouldn’t waive Nelson right away, adding that the point guard’s future was “TBD.” Wojnarowski’s reports suggests that Nelson will at least stick around Chicago for the time being, though it’s not clear if the veteran is safe for the rest of the season, or just for the next few weeks. If a player wants to be bought out while retaining his eligibility to play in the postseason for a new team, he must be waived before March 1.
For now, Nelson appears poised to help mentor a young group of Bulls point guards that includes Kris Dunn and Cameron Payne. In addition to providing a solid locker room presence, Nelson has also posted respectable on-court numbers this season, averaging 5.1 PPG and 3.6 APG with a .410/.364/.765 shooting line in a part-time role for New Orleans. He’s on a minimum salary contract.
Assuming the Bulls waive Allen and keep Asik and Nelson on their roster after finalizing the Mirotic trade, the team will be left with one open roster spot.
hmm.. would you rather have Jameer Nelson or Tony Allen??
Allen cause he is a pretty good defender
Allen should make for a sneaky good pick up for a playoff team. I’m thinking San Antonio.
ready for round 2 of whats next for the Bulls
Detroit could use Nelson and Allen. Stan should give as many second rounders as possible since he won’t develope them.
Tony Allen to the wolves
could we see Tony Allen in Golden State, Cleveland, or what about OKC?
Welcome back to Chicago, Asik!
Jameer is averaging 9 and 6 per36. Maybe it’s just me, but I wouldn’t really call those numbers “respectable.”
Really? What’s wrong with them?