11. Nikola Mirotic, Chicago Bulls
When Bobby Portis punched Nikola Mirotic in the face during a preseason practice, it appeared as though the latter’s time in Chicago had come to an end.
In late October, Vincent Goodwill of NBC Sports Chicago reported “Mirotic prefers a trade out of Chicago—which won’t be available to the Bulls until mid-January at the earliest because he was a free agent this summer—and is willing to waive his no-trade clause to do so.” According to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, “Mirotic’s camp gave the Bulls a ‘me or him’ ultimatum, with Mirotic insisting he or Portis be gone when is ready to return to action.”
That didn’t come to fruition, and Mirotic has thrived since his return in early December, likely boosting his trade value even despite the Bulls’ lack of leverage. According to Cowley, both Mirotic and the Bulls “have remained professional throughout the process, but they feel they’ve reached an impasse when it comes to repairing the damage” caused in the preseason scuffle with Portis.
The Utah Jazz have reportedly dangled Derrick Favors in trade talks with Chicago about Mirotic, according to Tony Jones of the Salt Lake Tribune, but Cowley reported the Bulls are “holding firm on their demand for a first-round pick.” It appears to be a matter of when, not if, Mirotic finds himself on the move between now and the Feb. 8 deadline.
Next: 10. Julius Randle