Restricted free agent Nikola Mirotic has agreed to return to the Chicago Bulls on a two-year deal worth $27 million, reports Shams Charania of The Vertical:
Restricted free agent Nikola Mirotic has agreed to a two-year, $27 million deal to re-sign with the Chicago Bulls, league sources told The Vertical.
Mirotic and the Bulls held extensive discussions this offseason and reached agreement on a shorter-term contract on Sunday.
The Bulls will have a team option for the second year:
Bulls' deal w/restricted free agent Niko Mirotic is for 2 years, second season is a team option, sources say. First year guarantee is 12.5M
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) September 24, 2017
Now for the part that seems weird but actually isn’t:
Mirotic has the right to veto any trade in the first year of his new Bulls deal, league sources said.
When I first saw this, I started laughing. The Bulls gave Nikola Mirotic a no-trade clause? NIKOLA MIROTIC? But, no, my colleague Honi Ahmadian spoiled my fun with his explanation of the CBA:
You can't negotiate an NTC unless you're an 8-year vet and have 4 yrs of experience with the team.
— Honi (@HoniAhm) September 24, 2017
My guess is that the NTC is because this is a one year deal with an option for the second year.That's grounds for having an NTC.
— Honi (@HoniAhm) September 24, 2017
Bobby Marks confirms this:
Team option has Nikola Mirotic with power to void any trade. Non-guaranteed in year 2 and Chicago could have traded him without approval.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) September 24, 2017
Mirotic averaged 10.8 points and 5.3 rebounds per game last season.
