Bulls want free agent to train in team’s offseason program
The Bulls have yet to sign their man, but they have gotten one wish.
Nikola Mirotic confirmed on his Twitter account Friday morning that he won’t play for Spain’s national team at this year’s EuroBasket. In a statement released to the Spanish Basketball Federation, Mirotic asked for “support and understanding” for his decision and wished the team he played for last season “best of luck.”
Mirotic, a native of Montenegro and a naturalized citizen of Spain, remains unsigned as a restricted free agent. He has been posting several pictures and videos of his workouts at the Advocate Center to his social media accounts.
NBA teams can’t prohibit players from participating in national team play in the offseason. But at their season-ending news conference, Bulls management expressed the desire that Mirotic train in their offseason program this summer.
“It’s a dilemma around the league, but international players a lot of times spend the summer around their national team,” executive vice president John Paxson said in early May. “And Niko had a great experience doing that last year, winning the bronze medal.
“But he lost some time in the weight room with us, lost some time on the floor with our coaches. And it’s interesting — some of the statistics we look at with Niko (have) been much better after the All-Star break.
“We want him back. We hope we’ll be able to work something out, but we also hope that he’ll be here all summer long. And we hope that what he has done after the All-Star break these first three years he can do more consistently. Let’s face it, in this game you need floor spacers and shooters, and when he’s playing that role he does help our basketball team.”
Earlier this month, Mirotic, who teamed with Pau Gasol at last year’s EuroBasket, posted a photo of himself at the Advocate Center weighing in at 251 pounds. He played last season listed at 238.
The free-agent market has stagnated to the point that Derrick Rose recently signed a one-year, $2.1 million deal. So a big-money deal for Mirotic seems unlikely at this point.
The Bulls can match any offer Mirotic receives as a restricted free agent.
PREVIOUS ARTICLE
