Chicago Bulls forward Bobby Portis doesn't plan on approaching Nikola Mirotic as he makes his return to team facilities today, according to K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Tribune.
It has been almost a month since Portis punched Mirotic in the face at the end of the last practice before the start of the regular season, causing a fracture which has had the bearded big man sidelined through his recovery.
“I’m a high character, low maintenance guy,” said Portis when asked of any potential interaction between the two. “If he approaches me, I’ll welcome him with open arms.”
The two have a history of butting heads during practice and haven't spoken since the incident. The Bulls now face a need at the power forward slot while Lauri Markkanen is out with a swollen ankle, but will have to play this situation carefully to avoid any further clashes or dysfunction in the locker room.
“Both Niko and Bobby are on our roster right now,” said Bulls executive vice president John Paxson, while noting it's incumbent for Mirotic to be involved with the team, as he is under contract. “And Niko’s getting cleared to do more and more. This obviously is coming to a position where it’s going to have to be resolved between the two.”
Mirotic was recommended surgery after the incident, with his timeline for return being four-to-six weeks — one which he's managed to beat by a day.
“The timeline for him getting back is all how he’s feeling and recovering from what he went through,” said Paxson. “He obviously has to get his conditioning up to a level that he needs to. That’s all a process.”
Mirotic's agent has hinted his client would welcome a trade, but he's not eligible to be traded until Jan. 15 — prompting a two-month run of uncomfortable moments if he isn't able to gel with this roster.
Yet despite the elephant in the room being present in the practice facility, Paxson thought of it as just another working relationship.
“They are adults,” said Paxson. “This is our workplace. They’re both part of the team. I think it’s pretty simple.”
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