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While the Bulls have always been privately confident that Mirotic would come to Chicago next summer, even they don't know for sure. First, they would have to negotiate a buyout with Real Madrid. If they get past that complicated step, the most interesting portion of the negotiations will begin. As Forman stated, Mirotic could be signed for an exception or any available cap space. What if the Bulls offer him the midlevel exception at $5 million a year and he says no? What if he wants more and says that he will stay in Europe if he doesn't get the deal he is seeking? The Bulls believe that Mirotic could develop into a star at the 4, but how much cap space are they willing to give toward his future? The 22-year-old would appear to have most of the leverage in this negotiation. ESPN.com

Chicago Bulls, Real Madrid, Nikola Mirotic 

News out of Europe today that Kostas Papanikolaou, whose rights the Trail Blazers acquired in the deal that sent Raymond Felton and Kurt Thomas to the Knicks, has been named the Euroleague's Rising Star Trophy winner for the 2012-13 season. The award goes every year to the best player under the age of 22 competing on a Euroleague team. Papanikolaou narrowly beat out Nikola Mirotic, the 23rd pick in the 2011 Draft, for the award. TrailBlazers.com

Chicago Bulls, Portland Trail Blazers, Nikola Mirotic, Kostas Papanikolaou 

Chicago Bulls fans eager for Nikola Mirotic to join the team that drafted him with the 24th pick in 2011 will likely have to wait until the summer of 2014, general manager Gar Forman explained. "You're slotted in the first round, and I think the slot for No. 24 is $1.3 or $1.4 million," Forman said Thursday on "The Waddle & Silvy Show" on ESPN 1000. "Well, he makes a lot more money than that right now over at Real Madrid. So the way the CBA is written is after three years then you're no longer slotted. Then you can use whether it's exception room or cap room in order to pay a guy. "So there's no possibility this summer because next year will be his third year. But after next year, the summer of 2014, then we'll be able to start some negotiations as far as a buyout possibly with Real Madrid or negotiate with him to come over here." ESPN.com

Chicago Bulls, Real Madrid, Nikola Mirotic 

Sam: Well, let’s just say Mirotic is doing OK. His averages are good, but he’s a very young player there and hardly dominant. He has the chance to become a very good player, but is at least two years from whether he’ll come to the NBA. The fact is there aren’t that many great players there, teams have done this for years, and have you forgotten Dalibor Bagaric, Kornel David, Chris Ansret and Dragan Tarlac? And there was an Orlando lottery pick, Fran Vazquez, who never came to the NBA, so there’s risk as well with second round picks having value now the way guys like Chandler Parsons have come on. NBA.com

Chicago Bulls, Real Madrid, Spain, Nikola Mirotic 

Nikola Mirotic: "Mi priority is to play with Real Madrid." ACB.com

Real Madrid, Spain, Nikola Mirotic 

A source within an NBA front office told Sheridan Hoops he considers Real Madrid’s Nikola Mirotic to be the best NBA prospect still playing in Europe. I wholeheartedly agree, and that’s why the Bulls would be crazy to part with the Montengrin power forward in a trade for Pau Gasol, or almost anyone else. SheridanHoops

Chicago Bulls, Real Madrid, Spain, Nikola Mirotic 

In yesterday’s post on Anderson, we noted that the Chicago Bulls, who have long coveted Gasol, have the goods to get a deal done in a three-way trade if they are willing to part ways with Taj Gibson, a future No. 1 draft pick owed to them by the Bobcats, plus a little more. That little more could include EuroStash asset Nikola Mirotic, who we have written about often on this site. SheridanHoops

Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, Trade, Pau Gasol, Taj Gibson, Nikola Mirotic 

"I like his game," Randolph said. "The kid can play. He has to come into his own. But that kid has a shot. I don't think he's physical enough to be in the NBA as a power forward or center as of now. But he can play small forward the way he shoots. He can move real well. I didn't see a lot of ball-handling skills, but he'll be all right." Mirotic, 21, is expected to play for Real Madrid for at least two more seasons. But Bulls management remains extremely high on the 6-foot-10 forward who averaged 15.5 points and 9.5 rebounds in Real Madrid's two exhibition games stateside against the Grizzlies and Raptors. "He can shoot," Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins said. "He knows how to play. It's about getting stronger and learning the NBA game. It's so much more aggressive and physical. Over (in Europe), guys just stay on the perimeter and shoot. Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Memphis Grizzlies, Zach Randolph, Real Madrid, Spain, Lionel Hollins, Nikola Mirotic 

Bulls management is watching Nikola Mirotic, the highly touted 2011 draft-day acquisition, play exhibition games with Real Madrid in Memphis and Toronto. Thibodeau caught Saturday's game on tape. "Some positives," he said. "Some things he has to improve on. But he's highly skilled." Mirotic is expected to remain in Spain for at least two more seasons. Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Draft, Real Madrid, Spain, Nikola Mirotic 

Mirotic: "The Bulls know my situation and they respect my contract." Marca.com

Chicago Bulls, Real Madrid, Spain, Nikola Mirotic 

"The Bulls came to see me a couple of times last season and we went out to have dinner and talk, and I guess this upcoming season the same will happen again. They know my situation and they respect my contract. I have a contract with Real Madrid to play this season and three more years, but I have a buyout to leave the club and play in the NBA." Marca.com

Chicago Bulls, Real Madrid, Spain, Nikola Mirotic 

(Bulls draftee) Nikola Mirotic: "I don't know if I will play for Spain or Montenegro." Marca.com

Chicago Bulls, FIBA, Spain, Nikola Mirotic, Montenegro 

Danilo Mitrovic, Montenegro National Team director, on Bulls draftee Nikola Mirotic: "In my opinion, Mirotic is a bit angry at the Spanish Basketball Federation because he was not on the National Team for the Olympics. His place was given Serge Ibaka and this is why he was probably upset. I tried to contact him, but I could not get ahold of his phone number. I contacted FIBA, where I was told that the Mirotic must submit a request in writing and that way get a permission to play for Montenegro National Team. When he was registered by the Spanish Basketball Federation, there were many irregularities and the Spanish Federation had to pay a fine because of that." Kosarka.si

Chicago Bulls, FIBA, Spain, Nikola Mirotic, Montenegro 

Management will say its financial decisions are cloaked in basketball reasons. With Rose out until likely March, next season is a treading-water season. So instead of depth being the secondary star, the Bulls hope to add a legitimate one alongside Rose. With Hinrich, Belinelli, Radmanovic and Mohammed all signing short-term deals, the plan to clear major salary-cap space in 2014 will remain intact. That's also when Luol Deng's contract expires, Nikola Mirotic could come over from Real Madrid and Carlos Boozer likely will be a victim of the amnesty provision. Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Carlos Boozer, Luol Deng, Kirk Hinrich, Real Madrid, Nazr Mohammed, Marco Belinelli, Vladimir Radmanovic, Nikola Mirotic 

Inside the Berto Center, the Bulls say the same thing. Mirotic's contract with Real Madrid runs through 2015 with a buyout of about $2.5 million. The earliest Mirotic would leave Spain for the Bulls appears to be before the 2013-14 season, but many projections have 2014-15 circled on Bulls general manager Gar Forman's calendar. With so much roster uncertainty in the wake of Derrick Rose's injury, sooner is better for the Bulls to start determining whether they have the next Toni Kukoc or Dirk Nowitzki. In his first comments to a Chicago newspaper since the Bulls traded for the rights to the 2011 first-round draft pick, Mirotic committed only to taking the prudent, patient path to a city he has yet to visit. "I can't tell you right now when, but for sure I want to be totally ready when I take that step,'' Mirotic told the Tribune. "Currently I have a contract with Real Madrid and personal and team goals that I'd like to achieve. I want to improve as a player, and to get this goal (of playing for the Bulls), it's not advisable to go fast.'' Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Real Madrid, Spain, Nikola Mirotic 

How would you describe your feelings about playing in Chicago one day? Mirotic: I really like the Bulls. They have a great history and tradition and legends. They're young and talented and have a big future. What would you say to anybody wondering if you are ready for NBA competition? I'd tell them I want to be at a higher level before going to the NBA. I had a good year but can make things better. I need to improve physically and develop my skills. I have to be an important player in Europe before thinking about the possibility of the NBA. Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Real Madrid, Spain, Nikola Mirotic 

Nikola Mirotic's plans with the Bulls: "He'll remain under contract with Real Madrid for the next couple years, but it's certainly our goal and our expectations that Nikola will be in a Chicago Bulls uniform somewhere down the line." ESPN.com

Chicago Bulls, Real Madrid, Nikola Mirotic 

Another big man who is in Chicago’s long term plans is Nikola Mirotic. Acquired in a draft night deal last summer, the 21-year old forward is currently a member of the Euroleague’s Real Madrid. NBA.com

Chicago Bulls, Real Madrid, Nikola Mirotic, Transactions 

As for when Mirotic might be added to the Bulls roster, it likely will not be before the 2014-15 NBA season. “He’ll remain under contract with Real Madrid for the next couple years,” stated Forman. “But it’s certainly our goal and our expectation that Nikola will be in a Chicago Bulls uniform somewhere down the line. We’ll continue to monitor his progress and feel really good about the development that’s taking place. NBA.com

Chicago Bulls, Real Madrid, Nikola Mirotic, Gar Forman, Transactions 

(Bulls draftee) Nikola Mirotic will be out for at least 10 days due to an ankle sprain. He will miss the quarter finals of the Liga Endesa Playoffs. Marca.com

Chicago Bulls, Real Madrid, Nikola Mirotic