Chicago Bulls need to keep Nikola Mirotic

The Chicago Bulls should keep Nikola Mirotic, not Bobby Portis

From all indications, it appears that the Chicago Bulls have sided with Bobby Portis and will likely end up trading Nikola Mirotic. But that would be a mistake.

The Bulls should elect to keep Mirotic, not Portis.

Sure, Portis has averaged a cool 13 points and eight rebounds through eight games this season. But those empty stats won’t hold. And don’t tell the entire story.

Portis can’t defend the paint for the life of him, and opponents drive to the rim at will with the porous defense the Bulls are putting up. No matter how many points Portis puts up, he gives them up on the other end.

Portis is an upstart who is too giddy to be on the starting lineup, but his game has too many holes for him to be any longterm option. Mirotic isn’t a great defender, but he does a better job at it than Portis.

Can Bobby Portis carry the Bulls in spurts like Nikola Mirotic has done in the past? If not, then it’s a no-brainer who the team should move.

Just look at the explosiveness of Mirotic’s offense when he’s on – shooting 3’s with a hand in his face and running circles around defenders on set plays and on a breakout rim dive.

While we wait for the drama to play out, we only hope the Chicago Bulls not torpedo their team more by sticking with a headcase who may or may not be a real player. The Bulls certainly have more information on Portis and Mirotic, but this could end up being another mistake for this franchise.

Must Read: LA Clippers: Examining The DeAndre Jordan Trade Market

Perhaps neither or these players are generational talents, but whatever move the Bulls decide to take will set a precedent for this team moving forward.