Nikola Mirotic may very well be the savior that the Chicago Bulls don't need. Nine games in since returning from a facial injury sustained in a physical confrontation with teammate Bobby Portis, the Bulls have managed to win seven contests, dropping their past two against conference powerhouses Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics.
During this impressive run, Mirotic has managed to put up 17.9 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. Let's face it, Chicago isn't expected to win this year. The bigger prize lies in the 2018 NBA Draft. So, as good as it may look, his impressive form has pushed the Bulls to an unnecessary position that could very well affect their future.
This brings up the question about his long-term fit with the franchise. Nikola Mirotic is a young player, but if the team decides to go with the equally impressive but much younger Lauri Markkanen as their power forward of the future, Mirotic's place within the Bulls could lose significance.
However, his impressive play as of late has also skyrocketed his market value. And if Chicago opts to trade away the naturalized Spaniard, he'd be more than willing to cooperate, per Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times.
According to a Bulls source, Mirotic and his camp have still let it be known to the front office that he would waive his no-trade clause if it meant being dealt to a playoff contender when he’s eligible to be moved in mid-January.
It’s an option that the Bulls are now taking much more seriously, especially because of how well Mirotic has been playing since his return.
As it turns out, the wins haven't completely fixed the relationship between him and Portis. While the two players' effort to remain professional deserve credit, their preferred silence between each other off the court isn't ideal when your building chemistry.
Nikola Mirotic and the Bulls will have to wait a few more weeks before a more concrete position will be made regarding his future in Chicago.
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