Chicago Bulls

Mirotic Thanks Fans After Reports of Trade to Pelicans

The Bulls will receive three players and a first round pick in the trade

Chicago Bulls forward Nikola Mirotic has a message fans as he reportedly heads to New Orleans

"It was a priviledge for me to play in front of Bulls fans and be a part of magical atmosphere that they created," he wrote on Twitter. "Thank you for support and for making me feel like at home. New challenges are in front of me and I wish you all personal happiness and success."

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His thank you comes just after the Chicago Bulls and New Orleans Pelicans reportedly agreed to a trade that will send Mirotic to the Big Easy.

According to multiple reports, Mirotic will head to the Pelicans with his 2018-19 contract option picked up by the team. The Bulls will also send a second round pick to the Pelicans in the swap, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

In exchange, the Bulls will get the Pelicans’ 2018 first round pick, which will come with a top-five protection, according to NBA TV’s David Aldridge. Guard Tony Allen, forward Omer Asik, and guard Jameer Nelson will also head to Chicago.

Finally, the Bulls will have the right to exchange second round picks with the Pelicans in 2021, according to reports.

To make room on their roster, the Bulls will reportedly release Quincy Pondexter, according to Wojnarowski’s report.

The Bulls’ wheeling and dealing will not stop there, according to a report. The team isn’t expected to keep Allen, instead opting to release him after the trade. They could also part ways with Nelson, but KC Johnson of the Chicago Tribune reports that the team will keep him, at least initially. 

Coincidentally, the Bulls acquired Pondexter and the second round pick that they’re now sending to New Orleans in a trade with the Pelicans last year. 

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