Mirotic trade rumors are getting louder for Bulls
There has been plenty of smoke billowing around the idea of the Bulls trading Nikola Mirotic before the Feb. 8 trade deadline.
Rumors have heated up lately, with The New York Times suggesting Tuesday that Detroit is among the interested parties, joining Utah, Portland and possibly others.
Mirotic has been the Bulls' leading scorer this season and the team has gone 11-7 since he returned to action on Dec. 8. As has been well-documented, Mirotic's season debut was delayed when he suffered facial fractures and a concussion in an Oct. 17 practice altercation with teammate Bobby Portis.
There were rumors that Mirotic's camp requested a trade in the aftermath of that altercation. Since he signed a new deal on the eve of training camp, the Bulls are not allowed to trade Mirotic until Jan. 15. He has a two-year deal worth $25 million, with the second season a team option.
The reasons for trading Mirotic probably have more to do with the fact that he plays the same position and has a similar skill set as rookie Lauri Markkanen, who is undoubtedly a key rebuilding piece. As a restricted free agent last summer, Mirotic did not draw an offer sheet from another team.
Could the Bulls get a first-round draft pick for him now that he has started the season well? That's the big question. Both Utah and Portland have players on expiring contracts they could send along with a first-rounder (likely in the teens), based on current standings. It's possible teams will ask the Bulls to take on a longer contract in order to part with a first-round pick.
In theory, the Pistons could offer shooting guard Avery Bradley, who will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. Bradley could be an intriguing target for the Bulls either through trade or free agency, since they could use a defensive-minded wing.
A Mirotic trade is all speculation for now. Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said Tuesday Mirotic would make the trip to New York, but remains questionable coming off a stomach virus. The fourth-year forward didn't play in Monday's loss to Houston.
LaVine makes forecast:
Zach LaVine was asked how he imagines himself playing when he takes the floor Saturday for the first time since suffering a torn ACL in his left knee last Feb. 3.
"I don't know how I'm going to go out, but I'm going to play the same way," he said. "I still have the same feel for the game. I still have explosion, the same athleticism, the same speed. I feel like I worked on a couple other things. I worked on my body. I got a little bit bigger. I shoot the ball the same way. I've been shooting the ball really good in practice.
"There's nothing for me to think about out there. I'm just going to go out and play the way I always have. I think it will be a good thing."
Bulls vice president John Paxson said LaVine has exceeded the athletic measurements taken before the 2014 NBA Draft.
Reunion on tap:
The Bulls turned things around this season when point guard Kris Dunn started playing well. Zach LaVine again talked about playing next to his former Minnesota teammate.
"Kris is great. I've seen him have so much more confidence than he had last year, and he's back to that dude everybody loved coming out of the draft," LaVine said. "His swagger is back, he's talking. It's good to see that."