Nikola Mirotic was reportedly about to be dealt to the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday, but when things seemed all but buttoned up between the Bulls and Pelicans talks fell apart.
Mirotic’s contract situation caused problems for New Orleans, as the Pelicans weren’t ready to commit to guaranteeing Mirotic’s contract for next season. That allowed the forward the power to veto the deal and both teams were left scrambling to make things work and not let the deal completely fall off the table.
Mirotic was held out of the Bulls’ game on Wednesday night as they continued working on trades for him, and on Thursday afternoon word came from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski that the deal was back on and the Pelicans were finalizing the trade to bring the sharp-shooting forward to New Orleans.
New Orleans is finalizing deal to acquire Nikola Mirotic, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 1, 2018
New Orleans is planning to guarantee the $12.5M salary of Mirotic in the 2018-19 season, league sources tell ESPN. That clinched a deal. Omer Asik and a future first-rounder part of package to Bulls, league source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 1, 2018
Pelicans and Bulls have reached an agreement in principle on Mirotic trade, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 1, 2018
Ultimately, the Pelicans agreed to guarantee Mirotic’s deal in exchange for unloading Omer Asik’s contract. Other players likely have to be involved in the deal to make it work with New Orleans’ cap situation, but they will be minor pieces.
Chicago could take one or two more minimum expiring players in the trade, which would help create roster space for Pels to sign Greg Monroe too, league sources tell ESPN. Bulls send a second round pick and the right to exchange seconds in the 2021 Draft with Pelicans.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 1, 2018
According to The Vertical’s Shams Charania, Tony Allen is the other player going to Chicago in the deal, although he’s expected to be waived.
Sources: Chicago has traded forward Nikola Mirotic to New Orleans for Omer Asik, Tony Allen and a first-round draft pick.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 1, 2018
Pelicans guard Tony Allen will join Asik in the trade to the Bulls, league source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 1, 2018
K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune reports Jameer Nelson will also be headed to the Bulls and waived.
Jameer Nelson also is expected to be in deal, per source. He, too, will be waived along with Tony Allen.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) February 1, 2018
While Mirotic’s contract being guaranteed for next year at $12.5 million does limit the Pelicans’ options this summer, this still seems like a really strong value play for New Orleans.
With DeMarcus Cousins out, they are in desperate need of some floor spacing next to Anthony Davis and Mirotic can provide that for the stretch run as they look to stay in the playoff picture out West. The Bulls get a first rounder out of the deal, but it’s not likely to be a lottery pick and Asik’s contract, while only guaranteed for $3 million in 2019-20, is still a hefty deal to take on for next season when he’s been almost unplayable. Getting a first round pick for Mirotic is still solid and the protections on the pick are only 1-5.
First-round pick the Pelicans are sending Chicago in Mirotic trade is protected 1-5 in 2018, per source, with gradual easing of protections in subsequent years.
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) February 1, 2018
The pick will assuredly relay this summer based on those protections, but right now figures to be in the late teens.
