Nobody expected the Chicago Bulls to be good this season. After dealing away Jimmy Butler in exchange for young assets, everyone understood the Bulls were headed for a rebuild. It was bad enough that Zach LaVine was brought with an injury that still needed more time to heal. Plus, the fight between Bobby Portis and Nikola Mirotic did not help the team whatsoever. Instead, it raised the tension in an already tense locker room environment thanks to, in part, Chicago's problematic front office.

But since Mirotic returned from the face injury caused by Portis, everything has seemed to click. Not that the Bulls turned into a serious playoff threat in one night. Mirotic came back with his hands full, Kris Dunn started elevating his game to new levels, Portis was high-fiving Mirotic, and the Bulls went on a seven-game win streak. Mirotic is mainly credited for it, but he is as responsible for the spark as the rest of the team. It now appears that the Spaniard is ready to leave Chi-Town despite this magnificent stretch.

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Joe Cowley from the Chicago Sun-Times reports that the trade request Mirotic made shortly after his fight with Portis is still standing. The return of LaVine makes it even more imminent as the young shooting guard is expected to be a top scorer in the team and the Bulls are all about developing their youth this season.

Mirotic is not eligible for a trade until Jan. 15, and his contract has a no-trade clause. Apparently, he is willing to waive it to allow the Bulls explore the best fit for both parties. Mirotic does hold a certain control over his destination, as he can veto trades thanks to this no-trade clause if he does not like where he is headed.

If Mirotic is traded, it would not be surprising watching him join a contender, as he has already proved his value off the bench and could offer frontcourt help to any team willing to give up the assets the Bulls ask for. Mirotic is averaging 18.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists and shooting 46.3 percent from behind the three-point line in 15 games this season.