NBA Trade Rumors: Chicago Bulls Planning To Part Ways With Nikola Mirotic

There is no shortage of NBA trade rumors and one of the latest buzz is likely trading of Nikola Mirotic by the Chicago Bulls, thanks to the growing discord between them.

Twenty-five-year-old Mirotic, a European by birth, signed for the Bulls in 2014 has been questioned over his professionalism of late. According to ESPN, the forward had an "unexcused absence" from the Bulls' pregame walk-through on Friday (December 16) before the Bull's game with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Mirotic said he had forgotten about the schedule and apologized to his team though the Bulls were expected to fine him for the act. Mirotic did not play in either of the Bulls' back-to-back games versus the Bucks both of which they lost.

Why Mirotic did not turn up at the walk-through because he was not picked for the first game against the Bucks on Thursday (Dec 15)? Mirotic said it wasn't like that and that he is "very professional".

"No, I'm not that kind of guy. Even if things are not how I'd like them to be, I'm a professional. It's not my first year here. Those guys respect me, I respect them, I wouldn't do anything like that. I just forgot," he said. But close observers are not forgetting to join the dots.

The Bulls have lost three of their latest games and have a 13-13 record at the moment to rank eighth in the Eastern Conference and these losses prompted their head coach Fred Hoiberg to leave out Mirotic, said Christian Post. The Bulls are now perhaps thinking of trading him in a bid to improve their performance.

But which team will suit Mirotic, who is averaging 8.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.0 assist? One team could be the Oklahoma City Thunder. A possible exchange between the Thunder's Enes Kanter and Mirotic could benefit both sides, depending on their specific needs. 

Stay tuned for the latest NBA trade rumors and updates.