The Chicago Bulls have agreed to trade Nikola Mirotic to the New Orleans Pelicans. For real, this time.
The Bulls thought they had a deal done on Tuesday that would have sent Mirotic to the Pelicans, but because the $12.5 million team option for the 2018-19 season would not be guaranteed, he and his representatives rejected the deal.
Today, however, the three sides finalized a deal that works for everyone.
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Pelicans are planning to guarantee Mirotic's $12.5 million salary in the 2018-19 season, which they were apparently unwilling to do at first. Additionally, the Bulls will send a second round pick and the right to exchange seconds in the 2021 Draft with Pelicans.
In exchange, Chicago receives center Omer Asik, Jameer Nelson, Tony Allen and a 2018 first round pick with "minimal" protections. According to Woj, the Bulls will likely waive both Nelson and Allen. Adding Nelson and Allen in the deal will reportedly allow the Pelicans to sign Greg Monroe, who recently reached a buyout with the Phoenix Suns.
Mirotic, who missed several games this season after getting into a fist fight with teammate Bobby Portis, is averaging 16.8 points and 6.4 rebounds per night in 25 games this season. He did not play Wednesday night against Portland due to the pending trade.
The Pelicans are currently sitting in seventh place in the Western Conference with a 27-23 record, but they'll be moving forward without All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins who suffered a ruptured achilles tendon last weekend.
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