The Chicago Bulls have been playing well of late and that is in large part due to the presence of Nikola Mirotic. However, the talented forward still wants out of the Windy City despite the team’s resurgence.
Rather than be distracted by all the trade talk, ESPN’s Nick Friedell reports that Mirotic is actually motivated by it.
“This is kind of some motivation for me,” Mirotic said. “I know it sounds weird. But people are talking, ‘OK, Niko be gone' and ‘Bye bye, Niko' or whatever. But for me, it's OK, just do what you've got to do. Play well and try to do your best until the last day and not be distracted. I know a lot of people were asking me before this, ‘OK, Niko, Jan. 15's coming, what do you think?'”
Similarly, the Chicago Sun-Times’ Joe Cowley reports that Mirotic isn’t backing out of his desire to be traded and his sources have said that there are several teams interested in the talented forward.
“A source close to the situation told the Sun-Times on Wednesday that Mirotic remains hopeful that he’ll be traded soon, and he has even told Bulls management where he’d like to play through his representatives.
Mirotic has a no-trade clause, but that would be voided if the Bulls pick up the team option for next season.
The source said both sides have remained professional throughout the process, but they feel they’ve reached an impasse when it comes to repairing the damage caused in the Oct. 17 practice altercation in which Mirotic was punched in the face by Bobby Portis.
The Jazz, Pistons, Knicks and Trail Blazers reportedly have inquired about an asking price for Mirotic. The Bulls are holding firm on their demand for a first-round pick.”
Mirotic has been playing extremely well and the Bulls have benefited from his presence on the floor. They are 11-6 this season when he is on the court, registering career highs across the board with 17.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists (ties career high) per game, while shooting 47.9 percent from the field including 45.0 percent on 3-pointers.