New Orleans acquires Mirotic from Chicago
The New Orleans Pelicans acquired forward Nikola Mirotic and a second-round draft pick from the Chicago Bulls for center Omer Asik, guards Jameer Nelson and Tony Allen, and a first-round pick.
The trade, announced by both teams late Thursday afternoon, comes less than a week after New Orleans lost All- Star DeMarcus Cousins for the season because of a left Achilles tear and with the Pelicans still in the playoff picture.
Mirotic has averaged 16.8 points and 6.4 rebounds since missing the first 23 games this season because of two broken bones in his face stemming from a fight in practice with Bobby Portis. The altercation soured Mirotic on playing for Chicago, and the Bulls were looking to accommodate his request to be traded.
“Niko’s representatives were consistent over the last several months that they wanted him moved,” said John Paxson, the Bulls’ executive vice president of basketball operations. “They never backed off of that stance one bit.”
Nelson averaged 5.1 points and 3.6 assists in 43 games for New Orleans. Allen averaged 4.7 points before a broken leg sidelined him for 22 games. He returned to the active roster this week but did not play in Tuesday’s loss to Sacramento. EVANS NOT PLAYING » Tyreke Evans was not with the Memphis Grizzlies for Thursday’s game at Detroit as trade speculation swirls around the veteran guard. The Grizzlies listed Evans as having an illness, but interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff confirmed before the game that the team isn’t likely to play him before the Feb. 8 trade deadline. DRAGIC AN ALL-STAR » Goran Dragic is an All-Star for the first time. The Miami Heat guard was selected by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver as an injury replacement for the Feb. 18 AllStar Game in Los Angeles. Dragic will replace Cleveland forward Kevin Love, who broke his left hand. NUGGETS 127, THUNDER 124 » Gary Harris made the winning 3-pointer at the buzzer and finished with 25 points to lift host Denver over Oklahoma City. Nikola Jokic added his third tripledouble of the season with 29 points, 13 rebounds and 14 assists, including the inbounds pass to Harris with 1.4 seconds remaining. Harris grabbed the ball and put it up for the win before running off the court, his hand held high in celebration. PISTONS104, GRIZZLIES102 » Blake Griffin had 24 points and 10 rebounds in his debut for Detroit, and the Pistons edged visiting Memphis. Griffin was impressive throughout his first game for the Pistons since they traded for him earlier this week. His teammates looked uncertain at times, but Detroit was able to outlast Memphis. ROCKETS 102, SPURS 91 » James Harden had 28 points and 11 assists, and visiting Houston dominated San Antonio. TIMBERWOLVES 108, BUCKS 89 » Jimmy Butler scored 28 points for host Minnesota, and Karl-Anthony Towns had 24 points and 11 rebounds for his NBA-best 46th double- double. WIZARDS 122, RAPTORS 119 » Bradley Beal scored 25 of his 27 points in the second half, leading Washington to the home victory.