Report: Bulls still plan on trading Mirotic
A period of relative goodwill apparently has not changed either Nikola Mirotic's trade request or the Chicago Bulls' willingness to move him, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
The report echoes a previous account by the Chicago Sun-Times' Joe Cowley that Mirotic will accept a trade once he is contractually able to be dealt on Jan. 15.
The 6-foot-10 Montenegrin was reportedly on the outs with teammates after an October punch-up with fellow forward Bobby Portis - one that Mirotic got the worst of. Since his return to action however, he's been playing the best basketball of his four-year career - averaging 17.4 points and seven rebounds on 46.5 percent 3-point shooting. The Bulls are an over-achieving 11-6 since Dec. 8, and Mirotic is reportedly on civil terms with Portis again.
Mirotic's numbers and decent defense could pique the interest of several teams, and his contract is also highly favorable. He signed a two-year deal as a restricted free agent last summer, with next season as a club option at $12.5 million.
Mirotic is doubtful to play against Houston on Monday due to a stomach virus.