Future uncertain, Mirotic tries to finish strong
There are 10 games left for the Bulls to push themselves into playoff position and also 10 games for Nikola Mirotic to prove he deserves a chance to return next season.
Those two goals aligned Wednesday when Mirotic scored a season-high 28 points as the Bulls rolled past Detroit 117-95. It was one of the best performances in Mirotic's three years with the Bulls as he hit 12 of 15 shots from the field, including 4 of 6 from 3-point range.
After the game, Mirotic was asked about finishing the season strong and whether it will help his cause when he becomes a restricted free agent this summer.
"My mind is I don't have to prove anything," Mirotic said. "I just want to prove to those guys who trusted me, Chicago Bulls. They wait for me, gave me a chance. I want to play well here. I don't know if I'm going to be here next year. I wish I could be here, but at least I want to give my best, try to play well and try to make this playoffs."
The Bulls acquired Mirotic on draft night 2011 then waited two years while he played for Real Madrid in Spain. Since joining the Bulls, Mirotic has had some strong performances, but has mostly been maddeningly inconsistent.
This season alone, Mirotic has been benched three separate times for ineffective play. On every occasion, he's come back strong. In six games since the most recent benching, the Montenegro native has averaged 15.7 points, second best on the team, and shot 46.6 percent from the field.
The Bulls will have decisions to make about Mirotic this summer. He seems to fit their preferred style of play, as a big man who can help spread the floor with his outside shot. But the team may also feel it's time to move on after three years of waiting for the 6-10 forward to bring some consistency.
Since Mirotic is a restricted free agent, the Bulls could have the right to match any offer from another team. In order to retain that right, the Bulls would need to make a one-year qualifying offer of $7.2 million, which Mirotic could choose to accept.
So there are plenty of questions: Will the Bulls make a qualifying offer? Will any other teams have an interest in Mirotic? Are the Bulls open to bringing him back?
Mirotic seems to understand he's better off not worrying about all those possibilities right now. He can help himself regardless by finishing the season well.
"I've been very positive about everything," he said. "Once they told me I was going to be out of the rotation, I was the first guy coming here, working out., being positive with my teammates, getting ready for my chance."
With Joffrey Lauvergne starting at center in place of the suspended Robin Lopez, the Bulls had two big men who could step outside to the 3-point line. That lineup led to some great ball movement as the Bulls produced a season-high 26 assists. The five starters combined to shoot 68.8 percent from the field against Detroit.
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Bulls vs. Philadelphia 76ers at the United Center, 7 p.m. Friday
TV: WGN
Radio: WLS 890-AM
Outlook: The Bulls have a history of success against the Sixers' rebuilding project, winning 12 in a row overall and nine straight at the UC. Philadelphia enters this game with a two-game losing streak and is in a tight race for the league's fourth-worst record. C Joel Embiid leads the 76ers in scoring and rebounds, but last played on Jan. 27 before being sidelined by a knee injury. Rookie PF Dario Saric has averaged 18.8 ppg this month, with SF Robert Covington adding 15.6 ppg. Chicago native Jahlil Okafor didn't play when the Sixers lost to the Bulls at the UC 121-108 on Jan. 29, but has seen action in seven of Philadelphia's last eight games.
Next: Milwaukee Bucks at the Bradley Center on Sunday, 2:30 p.m.
- Mike McGraw