NBA Trade Rumors: Will The Chicago Bulls Look To Trade Nikola Mirotic?

Is it safe to say that Nikola Mirotic is in the Chicago Bulls’ doghouse? If so, could the Bulls look to trade him before the NBA trade deadline? The NBA rumor mill is heating up about a possible growing discord between the Bulls and Mirotic. And the end result could be a trade that would shake up the Bulls organization, while revealing the true direction of the franchise.

Something that is becoming abundantly clear during a rough patch in the Chicago Bulls’ season is that Nikola Mirotic is having trouble getting himself going on the floor.

As a result of his struggles, Mirotic was a healthy scratch for the first game of the Bulls’ back-to-back games with the Milwaukee Bucks. Mirotic followed that up with missing the team walk-through, courtesy of ESPN Chicago, prior to the second half of the back-to-back. Doing so will result in a fine. Another penalty Nikola Mirotic had to pay was being a healthy scratch for yet another game.

According to CSN Chicago, Mirotic did apologize to the Bulls for missing the team walk-through.

“No, I’m not that kind of guy. Even if things are not how I’d like them to be, I’m a professional. It’s not my first year here. Those guys respect me, I respect them, I wouldn’t do anything like that. I just forgot. Just (stuff) happens.”

The Chicago Bulls may have an unhappy power forward on their hands.

Some struggles from the Bulls’ second unit have taken place during their most recent slide. It required a much-needed shake-up in the rotation. Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg hinted at some changes after a loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. One of those changes happened to be benching Nikola Mirotic, who did not respond well to the change.

Trading Mirotic might be the next change the Chicago Bulls make.

Nothing has been confirmed and there are no substantial reports about the Bulls looking to move Mirotic. There are certainly some matches when it comes to the trades that the Bulls can do. Teams will be interested in Mirotic if the Bulls decide to put him on the trade market. First, they have to answer a couple of questions about the power forward.

Is Nikola Mirotic a good fit with the Chicago Bulls?

Mirotic plays as if his game would be better suited for a Western Conference team. He is not a dominant presence down in the low post, which is the way most power forwards play in the East. The Bulls need shooting in the worst way, and that is what Mirotic is supposed to provide. Thus far, he has not.

For a team that scouted him for six years in Europe, the Bulls sure do have no idea as to what makes Nikola Mirotic work in an offense.

— Kelly Dwyer (@KDonhoops) December 7, 2016

Mirotic was supposed to help take the Bulls to the next level. He was billed to be a player on the rise. Mirotic has looked interested, but lost on the basketball court at times. Confidence does not appear to be his best ally. A change of scenery to a smaller NBA market could be what would jumpstart his career.

Looking down the road for the Chicago Bulls, it is hard to see Mirotic being part of their future. That is because he is supposed to be part of the Bulls’ present. This is his third season, and for a player with professional experience in the European League, he should be better at this stage.

If the Bulls do decide to test the trade market for Mirotic, they could get a solid young player in return.

Nerlens Noel of the Philadelphia 76ers is reportedly available. A swap between the Bulls and 76ers works for both teams. The Bulls would get a rim protector in Noel, while the Sixers get a player with a chip on his shoulder.

Another trade that could take place would be with the Oklahoma City Thunder for Enes Kanter.

It would be a trade involving two players whose skill sets would be better suited for the opposite conferences. Kanter is a powerful player, with some nifty low post moves. He also has some range on his jump shot, though not the three-point range the Bulls need. His addition to the Bulls would make them a more physical team. If the Bulls cannot rain three-pointers, they would be able to bully people in the post. The latter is also a winning formula in the NBA.

Getting Mirotic in a trade from the Bulls would give the Thunder a capable scorer. Someone who could feed off of Russell Westbrook’s drive and kick style of play.

If the Chicago Bulls were to trade Nikola Mirotic it would either be for a shooter, a low post presence, or some draft picks. Mirotic is a starter for several teams. And the Bulls should request a return equivalent to that of an NBA starter from all of the teams that call about Mirotic’s availability.

Nikola Mirotic is not on the trade market as of now, that does not mean the Chicago Bulls will not listen as teams call. NBA trade rumors involving the Bulls could heat up in the next few weeks.

Is Nikola Mirotic on his way out?

[Featured Image by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images]