By Rigas Dardalis/ dardalis@eurohoops.net
During last week’s NBA All Star Weekend very few rumors emerged in a really quiet, as it was proven, NBA trade deadline. However, many interesting news about Europe were collected by Eurohoops sources, we expect a really hot summer involving both Europe and the NBA and no name is hotter than Nikola Mirotic.
According to most US based sources, it’s a given that Nikola Mirotic will leave Real Madrid, something we also consider a done deal if the Spaniards win the Euroleague, and the Bulls are ready to spend for the talented forward their mid level exception in a four years deal, which translates to a more than 20 millions USD contract for him. After three years in Europe, Mirotic is no longer restricted by the rookie salary scale and with this kind of money he can easily cover the monster 2,5 millions euros buy out his contract with Real Madrid includes.
There’s also one more open case about Mirotic and has to do with his FIBA World Cup participation. Spanish national team coach Juan Antonio Orenga traveled to New Orleans and it seems that he prefers to include Serge Ibaka to the team, whose season with OKC is impressive.
In theory Mirotic has the right to play for the national team of Montenegro where he was born, but in order to do that he should have the permission of the Spanish basketball federation. One more scenario in which Mirotic is involved has to do with his replacement in Madrid. Justin Doellman is expected to get the job, despite being linked also to Anadolu Efes because he shares the same agent with Dusan Ivkovic.