Washington Wizards NBA Trade Deadline 2017: Why Nikola Mirotic Is a Solid Option
Washington Wizards need to add a scorer before the NBA Trade Deadline and Chicago Bulls forward Nikola Mirotic is a solid fit.
On February 23, the Washington Wizards will have a few options: continue hoping their bench improves or make a trade.
Washington’s starters are second in minutes played and the bench is the second least productive, at least in terms of scoring. For the team to make a serious run in the NBA Playoffs, an upgrade to the bench seems necessary.
Against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Wizards were on the cusp of an early blowout, but the bench came close to blowing the lead, forcing Scott Brooks to insert the starters into the game again.
Adding a scorer to the second unit is something the Wizards should look to do before the deadline.
Instead of looking at traditional scorers at the guard positions, Washington could add depth to their frontcourt – something they sorely need.
Neither Markieff Morris nor Marcin Gortat have adequate backups. Andrew Nicholson, whom the team wanted to play the role of sixth man, has been out of the rotation.
Washington could turn to the Chicago Bulls for help, adding Nikola Mirotic, who plays with a score-first mentality and would provided needed depth.
Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times is reporting that the Bulls are shopping both Rajon Rondo and Mirotic.
"According to multiple sources, the Bulls have been shopping guard Rajon Rondo and forward Nikola Mirotic in hopes of bolstering the roster and making a second-half run in the wide-open Eastern Conference."
But one of the sources said neither player is generating the kind of return general manager Gar Forman wants.
"‘Obviously, you knew that would be the case with Rondo,’’ the source said. ‘‘But [the Bulls] don’t like what they’re hearing back on [Mirotic], either. Then again, that’s a [front office] that tends to overvalue its assets.’"
I previously made an argument for Rondo as Wall’s backup, and also someone who the Wizards could afford.
Mirotic, whose 3-point shooting has dipped (he’s hitting just 31.3% behind the arc), is averaging 9.3 points and 5.5 rebounds in 23 minutes.
Jason Smith, Washington’s most productive bench player, is putting up 6.4 points on 31.5% shooting from three. Smith has given the team a lift behind Marcin Gortat, but the Washington Wizards need relief for Morris. That’s where Mirotic can come in.
Mirotic, 26, hasn’t reached his potential in Chicago, giving Scott Brooks another project to work on.
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Washington could package Andrew Nicholson, Daniel Ochefu and a protected pick for Mirotic.
According to Kevin Pelton of espn.com, Mirotic is one of the best bargain trades this season because he’s only making $5.8 million.
Trading Nicholson, Ochefu and a protected pick for Mirotic wouldn’t place the Wizards over the cap.
In fact, it would save the Washington Wizards money, since Nicholson’s contract alone is worth $6,088,993 for the 2016-2017 season.
Mirotic is on the final year of his three-year, $16,631,175 contract with the Bulls, and will be a restricted free agent this offseason.
If the Wizards don’t enter into trade talks with Chicago, another team will likely scoop him up over the summer.
As the Wizards’ roster stands, Washington could have a tough time beating teams in the postseason.
Next: Predicting a Wizards Trade Deadline Deal
Washington desperately needs to add depth to its bench and Mirotic could help push the team deep into the playoffs.