NBA Trade Rumors: Nikola Mirotic to the Jazz for Derrick Favors?

The Chicago Bulls are in trade talks centered around big man Nikola Mirotic, and one suitor may be the Utah Jazz.

After trading Jimmy Butler this offseason it looked like the Chicago Bulls were going all in on the rebuild. The veteran All-Star was too good to allow the Bulls to allow the Bulls to land towards the top of the draft but not good enough to secure a playoff spot. Now as the season progresses, the “Baby Bulls” have found some promise. Promise that they must snuff out if they want to contend for the draft’s top spot.

That success can be tied with the return of sharp-shooting big man Nikola Mirotic. Chicago has been looking to trade Mirotic since his return from injury following the infamous scuffle with fellow forward Bobby Portis.

Accroding to Tony Jones of the Salt Lake Tribune, a name to watch in trade talks is the Utah Jazz and their big man Derrick Favors. The former No. 3 overall pick in the 2010 draft is averaging 12 points, 7 rebounds and almost a block per game in 28 minutes per game. Favors lacks the floor spacing to play the four. His best position is likely at center.

A Mirotic and Favors swap makes sense for the Jazz. Favors and All-Star center Rudy Gobert struggle to play together because neither can really space the floor. Pair those two with non-shooting threat Ricky Rubio and the floor gets tight fast in Utah. Mirotic on the other hand is averaging almost six 3s per game, making 46.5 percent of them. He would open up the Utah offense significantly.

For Chicago this makes sense because Favors is in the last year of his deal. Favors can also play alongside either of the Bulls young bigs, Portis and rookie marksmen Lauri Markkannen. The Bulls can get a look at Favors this season. It also does not mess with the playing time of their developmental big men.

Next: Zach LaVine will make his Bulls debut against the Pistons

In most reports Chicago is looking for a first for Mirotic. It seems that may be unlikely. If he can keep up his hot shooting though, it is plausible. For now a straight up Mirotic for Favors swap can benefit both sides.