NBA Trade Deadline 2018: 5 trades to save Nikola Mirotic from the Bulls

Nikola Mirotic has been playing great but his future doesn’t seem to be in Chicago. Here are five trade proposals that could rescue him from the Bulls.

After what can only be described as a rocky start to his 2017-18 campaign, Nikola Mirotic is enjoying the best season of his NBA career. The fourth-year player is putting up career-high numbers in points-per-game (17.3) and rebounds-per-game (6.8) while ranking at the top of the NBA shooting a career-best 45 percent from 3-point land.

He’s also stuck on a Chicago Bulls team in dreaded NBA purgatory, not good enough to contend, but winning just enough to keep them out of the top of this year’s loaded draft. The Bulls need to blow it up, Mirotic could use a new home, and we’re here with five trade ideas that can give everybody what they need.

The Blazers currently sit in seventh place in the Western Conference standings and would like to move up a few spots to safely avoid a first-round playoff matchup with Golden State or Houston. Mirotic is just the type of player who can help, adding much-needed depth, bench scoring, and outside shooting to Portland’s roster.

It’s been reported by Marc Stein and K.C. Johnson that the Bulls are looking for a first-round pick as compensation in a move for Mirotic, and Portland currently can offer their own 2018 first-rounder and has no future outgoing first round obligations.

A good start, but they’d also have to come up with salaries to match Mirotic’s $12.5 million contract and team option for next season.

Ed Davis’ and his $6.3 million expiring contract would be a good place to start. Noah Vonleh ($3.5 million) and Shabazz Napier ($2.3 million) would also provide money coming off the books at the end of this season.

If the Bulls would consider taking a player for more than just this year, Al-Farouq Aminu has an additional year on his $7.3 million contract, Meyers Leonard is locked in for three years at $9.9 million, and Mo Harkless three years at $10.3 million.

Any move between the teams would hinge upon the Trail Blazers getting stronger for their playoff push, and immediate future and the Bulls receiving a first-round pick to help kick-start their rebuild with young talent.

Finding the right mix of contracts to give up (that the Bulls would be willing to accept in return) could be the key for Portland, a bit handcuffed by their current cap situation ($23.1 million over).