The Pelicans are nearing a deal to acquire Bulls forward Nikola Mirotic, according to ESPN.com.
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If it sounds familiar, it's because the two teams had previously been linked with a trade for Mirotic, only to see it fall apart in advanced negotiation stages.
In the new trade, New Orleans will send Omer Asik, Jameer Nelson, Tony Allen and a 2018 first-round pick with "minimal" protections to Chicago for Mirotic, the report states.
New Orleans is planning to guarantee the $12.5M salary of Mirotic in the 2018-19 season, league sources tell ESPN. That clinched a deal. Omer Asik and a future first-rounder part of package to Bulls, league source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 1, 2018
The Pelicans have to offload a couple of veterans because they are also interested in signing impending free agent Greg Monroe after he agreed to a contract buyout with the Suns.
Mirotic, averaging 16.8 points and 6.4 rebounds per game this season, is shooting 43 percent from 3-point range and he's reached double-figure points in his last eight games.
49.3% - 49.3% of Nikola Mirotic's points this season have come from 3-pointers. Only two Pelicans have a higher such percentage (min. 7 games). Stretch. #DoItBig pic.twitter.com/AXETtdGfgP
— OptaLarry (@OptaLarry) February 1, 2018
New Orleans lost star center DeMarcus Cousins to a serious Achilles injury, but remain in playoff contention. Adding Mirotic and possibly Monroe would help ease the sting of Cousins' absence.