The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz: Why Mirotic to the Jazz is a “win-win-win”

By Tyler Thorpe

CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 09: Nikola Mirotic #44 of the Chicago Bulls reacts after making a shot in the second quarter against the New York Knicks at the United Center on December 9, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 09: Nikola Mirotic #44 of the Chicago Bulls reacts after making a shot in the second quarter against the New York Knicks at the United Center on December 9, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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Bobby Portis Chicago Bulls
CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 11: Bobby Portis #5 of the Chicago Bulls and Guerschon Yabusele #30 of the Boston Celtics battle for the ball at the United Center on December 11, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Celtics 108-85. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Chicago fully embraces the tank

Heading into the 2017-18 campaign, many pegged the Bulls as having the NBA’s least-talented roster. After all, this is a team that just traded their franchise cornerstone in Jimmy Butler on draft night for young assets. There is no doubt that Chicago is playing for the future and any short-term success is a long-term failure.

That makes Mirotic’s recent play a problem for the Bulls’ long-term plans of a full rebuild.

Mirotic missed Chicago’s first 23 games after being injured by teammate Bobby Portis in a practice altercation. Since returning to the lineup on December 8, Mirotic has averaged career highs in points (17.4) and rebounds (seven per game).

Chicago went on a seven-game win streak after Mirotic re-joined the team. Despite their recent improvement, the Bulls and Mirotic still seem to agree that a move in imminent. This course of action would allow the Bulls to rid themselves of a player who obviously doesn’t want to play there in return for a potential young asset and/or a draft pick.

Mirotic’s obvious lack of desire to play for the Bulls may also help drive his value down, which would help the Jazz retain some of their assets as well.