D
Deseret News - Jazz
Guest
Nikola Mirotic will not become a member of the Utah Jazz before next week’s NBA trade deadline.
Multiple outlets reported Thursday morning that the Chicago Bulls forward will be sent to the New Orleans Pelicans. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Bulls will also send a 2018 second-round pick to the Pelicans, while New Orleans will send Chicago a 2018 first-round pick, Omer Asik, Tony Allen and Jameer Nelson.
The deal ends what became a tumultuous situation in the Windy City for Mirotic after he and teammate Bobby Portis got in a fight during practice before the season started, with Portis punching Mirotic, causing facial fractures.
Since then, Mirotic has wanted out of the Bulls organization. On Jan. 8, Wojnarowski reported that the Jazz were a team the stretch forward was interested in playing for, and his ability to hit shots from downtown would have been of benefit to Utah.
Because of a clause in his contract, Mirotic essentially was able to control where he was traded to. On Tuesday, reports surfaced that the Bulls and Pelicans had reached a deal for him, but he originally squashed it.
Mirotic has one more season on his contract after this one for $12.5 million, according to Basketball Insiders.
Full Story from the Deseret News...