Well hey, later is better than never. The Chicago Bulls are trading Nikola Mirotic to the New Orleans Pelicans and they are getting that coveted first-round pick.
After the trade fell apart the other day because New Orleans wasn’t willing to pick up Mirotic’s team option for next season, the two sides have worked out the kinks and the Bulls are now going to be taking on a little more salary for the first-round pick they’ve been trying to get. That comes in the form of Tony Allen along with Omer Asik’s money.
Sources: Chicago has traded forward Nikola Mirotic to New Orleans for Omer Asik, Tony Allen and a first-round draft pick.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 1, 2018
Allen isn’t expected to stick around.
It is unlikely the Bulls will keep Tony Allen, league sources tell ESPN. He will likely be waived and become a free agent.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 1, 2018
That’s not all though. Jameer Nelson is in the deal too, but he’s going to be gone as well.
Jameer Nelson also is expected to be in deal, per source. He, too, will be waived along with Tony Allen.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) February 1, 2018
Check that.
Update: Bulls aren't expected to waive Jameer Nelson initially. Future TBD.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) February 1, 2018
Also, it appears there won’t be much of a protection on that first-round pick the Bulls are receiving.
New Orleans is sending Chicago a 2018 first-round pick with "minimal" protections, league source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 1, 2018
But wait, there’s more. The Bulls are also sending the Pelicans a second-round pick.
Chicago could take one or two more minimum expiring players in the trade, which would help create roster space for Pels to sign Greg Monroe too, league sources tell ESPN. Bulls send a second round pick and the right to exchange seconds in the 2021 Draft with Pelicans.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 1, 2018
So, if you’re a Bulls fan start rooting against New Orleans. The minimal protection part is key because let’s say the Pelicans don’t make the playoffs and just nose-dive in the standings and end up with the ninth pick or something, the Bulls could have two top-10 picks in the upcoming draft.
Here we go.
First-round pick the Pelicans are sending Chicago in Mirotic trade is protected 1-5 in 2018, per source, with gradual easing of protections in subsequent years.
— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) February 1, 2018
Even if New Orleans doesn’t falter in the second half the Bulls are at least getting a mid-rounder from the deal. Not bad at all.
To recap, Mirotic to the Pelicans plus a future second-round pick, while the Bulls are taking on Asik, Allen and Nelson to go along with a first-round pick with minimal protection. Allen is expected to be waived by the Bulls. Asik will stay and has $14.3 million guaranteed through next season.
And the final piece.
Bulls will waive Quincy Pondexter to make trade work, source confirms. On it 1st: @ShamsCharania
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) February 1, 2018
Also, more into what the Bulls are looking at cap wise next offseason.
The Bulls are now $14.8 below the cap and $5.6M below the minimum team salary floor. Chicago will be on the hook for $10.6M, $11.3M and $11.9M ($3M guaranteed) of the Omer Asik contract. The Bulls project to have $27M in room this summer.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) February 1, 2018
