[KingJames00Participant]

Does anyone have a formed opion on this guy, i have heard good things but have never seen him in a game.. I’ve seen some articles raving but trust the opions on this site even more. Does the Deng trade a possible Boozer amnisty pave the way for him to get to Chitown. so 4 ?’s abut him for everybody 1. Will the Bulls be able to get him here for next season? 2. Who is a good NBA comparison for him? best case/ worst case 3. What is his long term potential/upside? 4. Where might he go if he were being drafted this year Thanks,

[TenSecondTomParticipant]

 I watch a lot of the teams in europe and I’ve seen him play multiple times. I think that amnestying Boozer and bringing Mirotic over would be ideal for the Bulls because they would not lose much production short-term, and in the long-term they would most likely gain some. With that being said, it is not a forgone conclusion that he will walk away from being the best PF in Europe; he is getting paid good money, and he is a star player for a top notch team. It’s very hard to compare him to anyone in the league because of his unorthodox style of play, but the only thing I could think of would be a poor man’s Dirk. He’s a great offensive player with the ability to spread the floor, which is impressive for someone standing 6’10. Chad Ford has said that Mirotic would be a top 5 pick if he were in the draft this year; his game is extremely refined for his age offensively and I could see him being a starter/3rd big for a contender right away. If things go right he could be a low-1 high-2 offensive option. If the Bulls could bring him over, amnesty Boozer, and make a splash in FA + use their draft pick on a rotation player, they could make drastic strides quickly.

[TenSecondTomParticipant]

 I watch a lot of the teams in europe and I’ve seen him play multiple times. I think that amnestying Boozer and bringing Mirotic over would be ideal for the Bulls because they would not lose much production short-term, and in the long-term they would most likely gain some. With that being said, it is not a forgone conclusion that he will walk away from being the best PF in Europe; he is getting paid good money, and he is a star player for a top notch team. It’s very hard to compare him to anyone in the league because of his unorthodox style of play, but the only thing I could think of would be a poor man’s Dirk. He’s a great offensive player with the ability to spread the floor, which is impressive for someone standing 6’10. Chad Ford has said that Mirotic would be a top 5 pick if he were in the draft this year; his game is extremely refined for his age offensively and I could see him being a starter/3rd big for a contender right away. If things go right he could be a low-1 high-2 offensive option. If the Bulls could bring him over, amnesty Boozer, and make a splash in FA + use their draft pick on a rotation player, they could make drastic strides quickly.

[Scott42444Participant]

I have talked to some people who know the situation with the Bulls and Mirotic.  Yes, the Bulls could bring him over next season and will try hard to do that.  Basically, he has a buyout thought to be $2.5 million.  The Bulls can only pay $600,000 of that (cap space free).  They originally were hoping to bring him over for the MLE, but he has played so well that is probably not enough.  They will probably have to pay him in the $8 – $10 million range.  That’s quite a bit of money for someone who hasn’t played one second of NBA basketball (a rookie).  That being said, he is the age of a rookie with professional experience.  He has improved every season to become basically THE most dominant MVP in European Basketball (which is better competition than the NCAA or the NBDL).  The problem is that the going rate for a guy like Lance Stephenson might be $10 million a season.  He will most likely be starting in the ECF or Finals guarding Lebron, Wade, Durant, Westbrook, etc.  He is leading the NBA in triple-doubles. Is he a safer bet, in making the Pacers worse as well, being that you actually know what you are getting and he is also a player young enough to improve a lot to outplay his contract?  Also, will adding Mirotic at $10 million with 3 other rookies (the Bulls have most likely 2 Firsts and 1 Second Rounder, along with Mirotic) be a good fit with Thibs?

The Bulls will make a serious offer to Carmelo Anthony, but it will not be a max contract.  They cannot afford to offer him a max deal with Rose coming off of 2 major knee injuries (Rose takes up 30% of the salary cap).  They will pitch him on a potential championship run with a proven track record of the front office making prudent decisions and having a team that can compete (assuming Rose, even at 90% of his former self, can actually take the court) for the duration of his contract.  They will probably compare the Bulls to the Knicks and Lakers and put his recent proclamation that money is less important than championships to the test.  But I think that Mirotic gives them more flexibility.  Mirotic is different than most rookies in that he is ready to be a professional, but he isn’t a typical 23 year old.  He is married with kids on the way and is already making millions.  He would most likely be in the 2nd tier of the 2014 draft behind Parker, Wiggins, and Embiid.  He would most likely be in the group with Exum, Smart, Randle, and maybe Vonleh.  Probably, out of that group, he would be Top 5 in this draft.  I think it’s really hard for an NBA comparison.  He can play down in the post, although that part of his game is developing.  He is a really good shooter and scorer.  He also is just a smart basketball player, which will be a welcome change from Boozer (and the opposite of Andrea Bargnani).  I think his skill set will translate to be a poor man’s Kevin Love more than a poor man’s Dirk.  He is a "Stretch 4" but his post game is developing, which could end up making him a very complete player.  Especially with Noah at center.  He will fit in well with the Bulls and Thibs.  He wants to play in the NBA (what else will he accomplish in Europe?).  The Bulls don’t have to make any additional moves in order to obtain him (with Carmelo they would have to most likely move Taj).  I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bulls (for once) were agressive and packaged some picks to move up in the draft if they bring in Mirotic because Thibs’s reluctance to play rookies.  If they don’t feel that they can bring Mirotic over in the next couple of seasons due to salary cap constraints (or they sign Carmelo) they will trade his rights (possibly moving up in the draft?).  I think the #12, #18, Mirotic and Gibson could be an agressive package to move up and grab the #4 pick.  He is being offered an extension with his Spanish League team, which would basically mean he will be a less attractive asset to the Bulls if they can’t bring him over until he is 27 (if they even retain his rights at that point, I don’t know).  My gut tells me the Bulls stay on course and offer Mirotic $8.5/yr for 3-4 years, which gives him time to earn a large 2nd (and possibly 3rd) contract (which is what every NBA rookie looks towards). They also keep some room to offer Jimmy Butler an extension.  If Derrick Rose didn’t offer so much uncertainty they would probably be more aggressive on a guy like Carmelo instead but they just can’t afford to have 2 max contract players when one of them (Rose) might not be worth his contract ever again and the other (Carmelo) hasn’t shown that he can elevate a team to greatness.  Mirotic is probably a good 2nd option (in a few years, if he continues to develop) on a Championship contender.  I am going back and forth here but these are really the questions that the Bulls front office is asking themselves and they have shown that financial flexibility is important to the organization.  They are in good shape, though, moving forward as long as Rose can actually stay on the court.

 

[Scott42444Participant]

I have talked to some people who know the situation with the Bulls and Mirotic.  Yes, the Bulls could bring him over next season and will try hard to do that.  Basically, he has a buyout thought to be $2.5 million.  The Bulls can only pay $600,000 of that (cap space free).  They originally were hoping to bring him over for the MLE, but he has played so well that is probably not enough.  They will probably have to pay him in the $8 – $10 million range.  That’s quite a bit of money for someone who hasn’t played one second of NBA basketball (a rookie).  That being said, he is the age of a rookie with professional experience.  He has improved every season to become basically THE most dominant MVP in European Basketball (which is better competition than the NCAA or the NBDL).  The problem is that the going rate for a guy like Lance Stephenson might be $10 million a season.  He will most likely be starting in the ECF or Finals guarding Lebron, Wade, Durant, Westbrook, etc.  He is leading the NBA in triple-doubles. Is he a safer bet, in making the Pacers worse as well, being that you actually know what you are getting and he is also a player young enough to improve a lot to outplay his contract?  Also, will adding Mirotic at $10 million with 3 other rookies (the Bulls have most likely 2 Firsts and 1 Second Rounder, along with Mirotic) be a good fit with Thibs?

The Bulls will make a serious offer to Carmelo Anthony, but it will not be a max contract.  They cannot afford to offer him a max deal with Rose coming off of 2 major knee injuries (Rose takes up 30% of the salary cap).  They will pitch him on a potential championship run with a proven track record of the front office making prudent decisions and having a team that can compete (assuming Rose, even at 90% of his former self, can actually take the court) for the duration of his contract.  They will probably compare the Bulls to the Knicks and Lakers and put his recent proclamation that money is less important than championships to the test.  But I think that Mirotic gives them more flexibility.  Mirotic is different than most rookies in that he is ready to be a professional, but he isn’t a typical 23 year old.  He is married with kids on the way and is already making millions.  He would most likely be in the 2nd tier of the 2014 draft behind Parker, Wiggins, and Embiid.  He would most likely be in the group with Exum, Smart, Randle, and maybe Vonleh.  Probably, out of that group, he would be Top 5 in this draft.  I think it’s really hard for an NBA comparison.  He can play down in the post, although that part of his game is developing.  He is a really good shooter and scorer.  He also is just a smart basketball player, which will be a welcome change from Boozer (and the opposite of Andrea Bargnani).  I think his skill set will translate to be a poor man’s Kevin Love more than a poor man’s Dirk.  He is a "Stretch 4" but his post game is developing, which could end up making him a very complete player.  Especially with Noah at center.  He will fit in well with the Bulls and Thibs.  He wants to play in the NBA (what else will he accomplish in Europe?).  The Bulls don’t have to make any additional moves in order to obtain him (with Carmelo they would have to most likely move Taj).  I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bulls (for once) were agressive and packaged some picks to move up in the draft if they bring in Mirotic because Thibs’s reluctance to play rookies.  If they don’t feel that they can bring Mirotic over in the next couple of seasons due to salary cap constraints (or they sign Carmelo) they will trade his rights (possibly moving up in the draft?).  I think the #12, #18, Mirotic and Gibson could be an agressive package to move up and grab the #4 pick.  He is being offered an extension with his Spanish League team, which would basically mean he will be a less attractive asset to the Bulls if they can’t bring him over until he is 27 (if they even retain his rights at that point, I don’t know).  My gut tells me the Bulls stay on course and offer Mirotic $8.5/yr for 3-4 years, which gives him time to earn a large 2nd (and possibly 3rd) contract (which is what every NBA rookie looks towards). They also keep some room to offer Jimmy Butler an extension.  If Derrick Rose didn’t offer so much uncertainty they would probably be more aggressive on a guy like Carmelo instead but they just can’t afford to have 2 max contract players when one of them (Rose) might not be worth his contract ever again and the other (Carmelo) hasn’t shown that he can elevate a team to greatness.  Mirotic is probably a good 2nd option (in a few years, if he continues to develop) on a Championship contender.  I am going back and forth here but these are really the questions that the Bulls front office is asking themselves and they have shown that financial flexibility is important to the organization.  They are in good shape, though, moving forward as long as Rose can actually stay on the court.

 

[Moon RiverParticipant]

I read the other day that his current coach essentially said that they all know that Nicola will be with the Bulls next year.  He has done a ton of research on Chicago and the Bulls are working hard to make sure he comes over.  The Bulls also have a relationship with his current team from the Andres Nocioni days.  I think he will be an instant impact type of player, but it all comes down to how much they have to pay him.  They have flexability with the Deng trade to make moves so need to hit it right in FA.  For some reason, I am just not buying the Carmelo Anthony talk to Chicago, even though coach Boeheim (for the record, it was a block) told Melo to go where he can win a championship.  If he listens, Chicago does make some sense.

[Moon RiverParticipant]

I read the other day that his current coach essentially said that they all know that Nicola will be with the Bulls next year.  He has done a ton of research on Chicago and the Bulls are working hard to make sure he comes over.  The Bulls also have a relationship with his current team from the Andres Nocioni days.  I think he will be an instant impact type of player, but it all comes down to how much they have to pay him.  They have flexability with the Deng trade to make moves so need to hit it right in FA.  For some reason, I am just not buying the Carmelo Anthony talk to Chicago, even though coach Boeheim (for the record, it was a block) told Melo to go where he can win a championship.  If he listens, Chicago does make some sense.

[tbest23Participant]

Dude just turned 23 I believe. If the Bulls were to wait another year, there’s no buyout. If the Bulls were to use amnesty for Boozer—hardly a given—they’d have to add up all their salary commitments for next season which include draft picks and now is about $49 million. The cap is currently $58 million, but as it’s based on league revenue teams expect it could go up for next season, maybe to $62 million. If it did go to that amount, the Bulls could have if they let not only Boozer go but Hinrich and Augustin maybe $13 million. That would be reduced by the draft pick salaries. Then they’d look to make a deal with Mirotic. They’d also need a point guard to back up Derrick Rose, so that would take some money. As you can see, there’s not a lot left because with just Rose, Noah and Gibson alone, the Bulls have $40 million on the payroll. This is not going to be any big free agent summer for the Bulls. And Boozer is a very productive player. If the Bulls use amnesty, they’d still have to pay him his almost $17 million. And then he could end up getting a minimum salary playing for Miami while the Bulls are paying him. So if there’s not a big free agency they may be better off keeping Boozer. Then they’d have the mid-level exception, which you don’t have when you are under the cap, and maybe sign Mirotic with that and have both. There are so many different possibilities, including what will occur with the draft picks, that it is premature to even speculate. (S. Smith)

[tbest23Participant]

Dude just turned 23 I believe. If the Bulls were to wait another year, there’s no buyout. If the Bulls were to use amnesty for Boozer—hardly a given—they’d have to add up all their salary commitments for next season which include draft picks and now is about $49 million. The cap is currently $58 million, but as it’s based on league revenue teams expect it could go up for next season, maybe to $62 million. If it did go to that amount, the Bulls could have if they let not only Boozer go but Hinrich and Augustin maybe $13 million. That would be reduced by the draft pick salaries. Then they’d look to make a deal with Mirotic. They’d also need a point guard to back up Derrick Rose, so that would take some money. As you can see, there’s not a lot left because with just Rose, Noah and Gibson alone, the Bulls have $40 million on the payroll. This is not going to be any big free agent summer for the Bulls. And Boozer is a very productive player. If the Bulls use amnesty, they’d still have to pay him his almost $17 million. And then he could end up getting a minimum salary playing for Miami while the Bulls are paying him. So if there’s not a big free agency they may be better off keeping Boozer. Then they’d have the mid-level exception, which you don’t have when you are under the cap, and maybe sign Mirotic with that and have both. There are so many different possibilities, including what will occur with the draft picks, that it is premature to even speculate. (S. Smith)

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