The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz: J-Notes staffers’ ideal trade deadline acquisitions

By Ryan Aston

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JANUARY 20: Coach Quin Snyder of the Utah Jazz talks with his team during the game against the LA Clipperson January 20, 2018 at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JANUARY 20: Coach Quin Snyder of the Utah Jazz talks with his team during the game against the LA Clipperson January 20, 2018 at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Nikola Mirotic Chicago Bulls
CHICAGO, IL – JANUARY 01: Nikola Mirotic #44 of the Chicago Bulls meets with head coach Fred Hoiberg in the first quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at the United Center on January 1, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Nikola Mirotic, Chicago Bulls

J-Notes contributor Tyler Thorpe

Dennis Lindsey and Utah’s front office need to find a way to get 6-foot-10 sharpshooter Nikola Mirotic in a Jazz jersey before February 8. Mirotic showed Lindsey and Co. just what he could add to Quin Snyder’s system when he dropped 29 points on 11-of-18 shooting against the Jazz in December.

The Chicago Bulls projected to be one of the league’s bottom-feeders entering the 2017-18 season. With Mirotic missing extended time early, they were living up to that billing, going 3-20 over that stretch. Upon his return, Chicago rattled off seven straight wins, including the aforementioned 103-100 victory over the Jazz.

The Bulls have now gone a surprising 14-8 with Mirotic in the lineup this season. Despite the recent success, neither Mirotic nor the Bulls organization appear to be sold on his future with the team.

As soon as Adrian Wojnarowski’s report that Mirotic was “intrigued” with the Jazz surfaced, fans erupted with speculation and potential trade ideas. I, for one, think it could be a Michael Scott “win-win-win.”

Jazz Nation’s enthusiasm began to die down given the additional information that Chicago was asking for a first-round pick in exchange for the former 23rd overall pick. I don’t see the Jazz offering their 2018 first round pick for Mitotic — nor do I think they should. However, Utah needs to find a way to entice Chicago to accept a combination of Derrick Favors, Joe Johnson and/or a future protected first-round pick in exchange for Mirotic.

Imagine adding Mirotic’s 17 points per game and 48 percent FG percentage to Snyder’s free-flowing offense. For you Jonas Jerebko lovers out there, Mirotic is essentially an upgraded version of Jerebko.

While his defense has been sub-par, I believe that Utah’s developmental staff can help mold him into a competent defender. Don’t forget, you don’t always need an elite defender at power forward if you have Rudy Gobert protecting the rim. Mirotic’s offensive ability would far outweigh his deficiencies on the other end.

Next: Otto Porter

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