By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
In a recent article, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski shed some light on the status of several European NBA players in the midst the trade period, almost one month before the deadline expires.
And there aren’t few that might finish the season with a different team. Like Nikola Mirotic.
According to “Woj”, not only are the Chicago Bulls considering putting Spanish forward on the trading block, something that can only take place after January 15 per his contract, but the player himself has been thinking of potential new destinations.
Among them is Utah and the Jazz which seem “intriguing” to Mirotic and could use his offensive “mojo”. Will we see him pairing up with fellow Spaniard Ricky Rubio?
Speaking of Spanish ballers, Marc Gasol will most likely stay with the Memphis Grizzlies since the club doesn’t really think of trading him. The player himself has said numerous times that he would accept the trade if the front office thought it would be “the best for the franchise”.
Two other European players that are “locked” in their place, for now, are New Orleans Pelicans bigs Omer Asik (Turkey) and Alexis Ajinca (France) since their contracts lack tradability and seem to scare away other teams. Something similar is the case with Luol Deng who the Lakers can’t trade unless they add lots of draft picks in a possible deal.
Turkish forward Ersan Ilyasova and Italian guard Marco Belinelli are both considered “expendable” by the Atlanta Hawks that are willing to exchange so that they can bring in younger players and picks.
After averaging 17.9 points per game so far this season, Evan Fournier is appealing for some teams and the Detroit Pistons have already attempted to acquire him, albeit to no avail, so far.