2017 NBA free agency tracker: Grades for every deal so far
Nikola Mirotic: 2 years, $27 million (Chicago Bulls)
Restricted free agent Nikola Mirotic has agreed to a two-year, $27M deal to return to Chicago, league sources tell The Vertical.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 24, 2017
The Chicago Bulls had no one to bid against but themselves with Nikola Mirotic’s restricted free agency, but ultimately agreed to re-sign the stretch-4 to a lucrative two-year, $27 million contract.
Though this is a pretty hefty annual sum for such an inconsistent player, the Bulls won’t have much to do with all their cap space over the next few seasons anyway. The focus will be on developing young players, securing a top pick in the 2018 NBA Draft and committing to a full-scale rebuild.
As such, a two-year deal (with the second year being a team option) is defendable for Mirotic, who averaged 10.6 points and 5.5 rebounds per game on paltry .413/.342/.773 shooting splits last year. The 26-year-old has not proven himself as a reliable stretch-4 through his first three years in the league, now he has some extra time to figure things out, and even if he does, he won’t move the needle much for a tanking team.
Bourguet Grade: B-
HoopsHabit Grade: C+