Nikola Mirotic is surprisingly without a team two months since the free-agency season began. The sweet-shooting bigman is one of few notable players left in the market, and his restricted free-agency has played a big role why he remains unsigned up to now.
The Chicago Bulls, having the rights to match any offer sheet for Mirotic, are utilizing that particular wrinkle in the CBA to their advantage very well. The current state of the free agency market also doesn’t help his cause. Almost all 30 NBA teams had already exhausted their cap space so that there may not be enough wiggle room to sign Mirotic to a reasonable deal.
Tricky situation for Mirotic
However, not all hope is lost for Mirotic. Interested teams can still acquire him if the Bulls renounce their rights to sign him, allowing him to become an unrestricted free-agent. Chicago could also entertain a sign-and-trade deal with potential suitors. Of course, Mirotic can end all the drama should he accept the Bulls’ qualifying offer ($7 million). He can then play through the season and become an unrestricted free-agent next summer.
Still pretty solid from deep
The 26 year old Mirotic will always be an intriguing trade target because of his reputation as decent floor-stretcher. After a promising rookie campaign, the former Spanish League MVP struggled in his next two seasons with the Bulls.
Last year, he posted almost similar numbers from his previous seasons, averaging 10.6 points on 41 percent FG shooting with 5.5 boards per game. His three-point shooting clip dropped a bit from career-high 39 percent shooting during the 2015-16 season to 34 percent – which is still pretty much decent for a 6-foot-10 power forward.
Thunder emerges as intriguing landing spot
The Oklahoma City Thunder filled a big void on their roster this summer after acquiring Paul George in a trade with the Indiana Pacers. The Thunder hope their acquisition of George will revive the team’s 1-2 punch attack with Russell Westbrook and give them another scoring threat outside the reigning NBA MVP.
However, the Thunder still sorely missed the service of a reliable floor stretcher.
Serge Ibaka was more than a rim protector during his time in Oklahoma. His three-point shooting ability (career 36 percent 3ptt shooter) also helped draw defenders all the way to rainbow territory and open up more space for penetration. Mirotic may not be known for his defense, but he sure can stretch the floor.
Acquiring Mirotic might not be tricky for the Thunder. Enes Kanter, who is excellent inside operator but lacks the shooting mojo from deep, could serve as trade bait in the potential deal. Oklahoma can throw in Kanter ($17M per year) and perhaps draft picks to sweeten the pot for the Bulls. The Thunder accomplish two things in this trade scenario: address redundancy in the frontline by breaking up Kanter-Steven Adams dynamics and replace him with a proven floor-spacer.
