Report: Bulls finally trade Mirotic to Pelicans

NikolaMirotic is headed to the New Orleans Pelicans, after all.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports the Pelicans will deal center OmerAsik, guards TonyAllen and JameerNelson and a protected 2018 first-round pick to Chicago for Mirotic, a second-round draft pick and the rights to swap second-round selections in the 2021 draft.

Chicago is expected to release Allen and Nelson, the report said.

The Pelicans, who recently lost DeMarcusCousins to a torn Achilles' tendon and are said to be chasing soon-to-be-free agent GregMonroe after he clears waivers, agreed to guarantee Mirotic's $12.5 option for the 2018-19 season, which cemented the deal, according to the report.

The deal reportedly received the stamp of approval from Pelicans star AnthonyDavis.

Anthony Davis expressed satisfaction with the #Pelicans trade, and said it's important the team continued to make moves to stay competitive this season even with Cousins hurt.

"No matter who is here we wanted to make sure we continue to try to make moves and better our team."
— Scott Kushner (@ScottDKushner) February 1, 2018

Moving Mirotic sets up Chicago nicely to reposition itself this summer, according to former NBA executive Bobby Marks, now of ESPN.

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

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