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Paxson wants to be patient, open-minded about Mirotic situation

Bulls vice president John Paxson said Nikola Mirotic has been cleared for light exercise, so the injured forward may be working out at the Advocate Center soon.

“Today is the day we're going to try to move this forward a little bit,” Paxson said before Friday's practice. “Niko has the opportunity to do some light physical work. We need to have him do that under our supervision.”

At the same time, Paxson didn't have any answers about bringing Mirotic and Bobby Portis together. Mirotic suffered a concussion and facial fractures from a punch thrown by Portis during an Oct. 17 practice altercation.

Portis is serving an eight-game suspension, but is practicing with the team. Mirotic could be sidelined 4-6 weeks and has not been around the team since the incident.

“We want to get him back,” Paxson said of Mirotic. “He's been cleared to do some light physical things like ride a bike. We're trying to schedule with him how to do that because he has to do that under our supervision. We're being really sensitive to this.”

Paxson didn't refute reports that Mirotic and his representatives believe it is not possible to coexist with Portis. It seems inevitable the Bulls will need to move one of those players, but Paxson is trying to go slowly.

“I'm not going to get into any specifics about what discussions we have had with any agents and players,” Paxson said. “What I do want to say is we're really sensitive to this entire issue, and what Niko is going through physically and mentally. We're trying to be sensitive to him. We don't have all the answers today. But just like in anything, as an organization we have to do what's in our best interests.

“We have to be patient. It's not something that's going to be resolved overnight. We're going to continue to communicate with Niko and his representatives and find our way through this.”

As has been mentioned before, it would be easier to trade or release Portis. He has a $1.5 million salary this season and the Bulls have until Oct. 31 to decide whether to pick up his option or the 2018-19 season at $2.5 million.

Mirotic was a restricted free agent this summer and after failing to get an offer sheet from another team, he signed a two-year, $27-million deal with the Bulls at the start of training camp. The second year is a team option.

By rule, the Bulls cannot trade Mirotic until Dec. 26, three months after he signed his new contract. And there may not be any teams willing to squeeze Mirotic's $12.5-million salary onto their payrolls this season, or give a useful asset in return.

The alternative is bringing Mirotic and Portis together with the hope they can work things out. Portis told reporters last week he has reached out to Mirotic to apologize, but calls and texts were not returned. Mirotic has been in touch with some teammates. Center Robin Lopez said he has spoken to Mirotic recently.

Paxson was asked if the two players can coexist as teammates.

“I don't have that answer,” he said. “Your hope is that as time goes on, there can be some communication where it gets resolved. But this is a unique situation, it really is.”

Before the practice altercation, the Bulls faced a challenge in dividing playing time among three power forwards. Mirotic was slated to start the season opener before he was injured. Now with two players sidelined, rookie Lauri Markkanen became the starter and has played well, averaging 15.8 points and 10 rebounds.

The easiest move for the Bulls would be to release Portis and be done with it, but Paxson is exploring alternatives.

“I'm sure he's dealing with things,” Paxson said of Portis. “It's good he's around his teammates right now. But an eight-game suspension is a long deal. I'm sure it's hard for him to sit and watch just like it's hard for Niko to sit and watch.

“This is a very difficult situation. That's why I'm saying we don't have all the answers today. But we're working through them. We're going to come to some resolution. When that will be, I don't know.”

• Twitter: @McGrawDHBulls

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