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

There are no official rumblings yet about Philadelphia being interested in Mirotic, but with the team on the outside cusp of the Eastern Conference playoff push, and news that they’ll be missing sharpshooter J.J. Redick for the near future, they may be looking to add some talent and depth to their roster.

The Sixers have their own first-round draft pick to offer in return and can hold out hope the Lakers’ pick avoids conveying to the Celtics when the ping pong balls are selected later this year. They can also offer the expiring contract of Amir Johnson ($11.0 million) or Trevor Booker ($9.1 million) in return for taking on Mirotic’s salary.

The first round pick could be a bit of a high price to pay for Philly (especially for a team known for placing a high value on picks), but Mirotic’s shooting could be just what the team needs to surround their young superstars-in-the-making Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons.

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Giving up their own pick this year could be worth it for the Sixers to take the next step towards contention. Mirotic checks some of the same boxes as current sixth-man Dario Saric but brings more of a gunner mentality in his approach to the game. He’s not afraid to shoot the ball, and Philadelphia is in need of someone with that mentality to fill up the stat sheet coming off their bench.

Would Philly’s first round pick and an expiring contract be enough for Chicago to send Mirotic packing to the City of Brotherly Love? It may depend on the offers the Bulls get from the rest of the teams on our list, as well as any other potential suitors currently biding their time.