Behind the Anthony Davis drama, the Pelicans are ready to start taking their current roster apart in exchange for future assets, according to Sean Deveney of Sporting News. He adds that their most enticing trade piece is stretch forward Nikola Mirotic, who is drawing interest from both the Sixers and Jazz.
New Orleans is seeking a first-round pick in exchange for Mirotic, who has been sidelined for the past week with what Deveney calls “a so-called calf strain.” A league source tells him that the Sixers, who have needed forward help since sending Dario Saric and Robert Covington to Minnesota in the Jimmy Butler trade, have contacted the Pelicans about Mirotic. Philadelphia owns all of its future first-rounders, along with Miami’s in 2021, and a wealth of second-rounders, including the Bulls’ this year, the Knicks’ and Nets next season and four in 2021.
The Jazz, who were considered frontrunners to wind up with Mirotic when the Bulls were looking to move him last season, are also in the mix, Deveney adds. It’s uncertain whether Utah is willing to part with starting forward Derrick Favors or would offer young players such as Raul Neto and Tony Bradley in addition to a first-round pick.
Deveney notes that other teams could still enter the race for Mirotic, such as the Trail Blazers, who are seeking to add roster depth, and the Rockets, who have been eyeing him for a long time.
Mirotic, 27, is averaging 16.7 points and 8.3 rebounds through 32 games and is shooting 36.8% from 3-point range. He is making $12.5MM on an expiring contract.
Rockets have been eyeing Mirotic for a long time when they had his trade rights some years back before they traded his rights to Minnesota in exchange for Johnny Flynn and Donatas Montejunas. Lol
Doubt Houston they knew who he was until Minnesota (for Chicago) told them who to pick. They held his rights for all of five minutes.
Mirotic is like a taller better Dario so he’d fit in with Philly nicely if they can land him.
They are both 6-10.
Mirotic is a wild card in my opinion. Perfect piece for a team to add. Stretch 4 who’s comfortable taking 8 3s a game so he will open up the offense for whatever team he goes too. If the rockets/6ers get him then they have a chance
Seems like a good fit on the Raptors too.
Mirotic would fit on ANY contender. It’s about the trade fit, what’s the compensation they are looking for.
It cost NO the 22nd overall pick this past draft. For 1.5 years of control. Everyone that is serious will at least offer a 1st. Not everyone will be willing to take on Solomon Hill. NO wants to dump Hill in the AD deal. (How in the world did he get a 4/48M contract??). Sixers could take him and use his expiring contract for next year.
Mirotic + Hill for Chandler, Muscala, Korkmaz, Patton. Maybe a couple 2nds? Idk if taking Hill removes the need to include a 1st.
This also frees up 2 roster spots for BO candidates.
6ers are too thin as it is so giving up 2 solid rotation pieces isn’t worth it to get 1 upgrade and 1 downgrade
Mirotic > Chandler & Muscala’s production put together. Also… history tells us they’ll find some vets to fill out the rotation.
February 12, 2018
Signed Marco Belinelli to a contract for the rest of the season.
February 28, 2018
Signed Ersan Ilyasova to a contract for the rest of the season.
They can find a couple guys off the street on 10-day contracts to fill the void until the buyout market heats up. Everyone on the Kings, DJ, Wes Matthews, Lin, Dedmon, Lopez, Frye, JR Smith, Burks, Casspi, Ellington, any remaining NYK etc…
we not giving up all them players/pieces for Mirotic I wouldn’t even trade Chandler for him
Wait what? Pieces? Mirotic is better than all of them combined. Korkmaz is no longer a piece – they declined his option. Patton is not a piece his option was declined by Minn. Wilson Chandler is hitting a couple 3s a game.
If they take back Solomon, they’ll have an expiring contract they can use in a future trade to bring in a player after maxing out Butler. That is actually an asset. 12.75 + 9.74 (Fultz) = 22.49M enough to match and go ALL-IN for a major trade (including 1sts) in 2019.
Lillard, McCollum, Beal