New Orleans Secured Nikola Mirotić After the Cousins Injury
On February 1, 2018, New Orleans traded Omer Asik, Tony Allen, Jameer Nelson and a protected first-round pick to Chicago for scoring forward Nikola Mirotić and a 2018 second-round selection. The Bulls also obtained a conditional right to swap 2021 second-round picks. Both teams’ official releases describe the complete terms, and the Pelicans had lost center DeMarcus Cousins to an Achilles injury only days earlier. Mirotić offered the rebounding, three-point shooting and scoring that might help compensate for that absence around Anthony Davis. Chicago was pursuing a younger roster and wanted an additional first-round draft opportunity while moving on from a strained relationship with the forward. This was a carefully negotiated exchange that involved future draft rights as well as four veterans.
Mirotić Helped New Orleans Win a Playoff Series
Mirotić contributed frontcourt spacing and scoring to a Pelicans group that beat Portland in a first-round sweep in spring 2018. His outside shooting helped Davis find room inside and gave New Orleans a plausible lineup without Cousins. That was genuine near-term playing value and the main rationale for the Pelicans’ decision, even though Mirotić did not remain on their roster through multiple additional seasons. The club gained an active scoring forward rather than only an expiring contract. The inherited New Orleans C grade appears conservative for the playoff contribution, but it also weighs the protected first-round pick surrendered. The second-round selection Chicago sent out became a separate development right rather than a replacement for the immediate Mirotić output.
Chicago Turned the Protected First Into No. 22 Chandler Hutchison
Chicago used the 2018 first-round pick acquired from New Orleans at No. 22, selecting Boise State wing Chandler Hutchison. The Bulls’ official year-end summary confirms both the trade and that exact draft result. Hutchison did not become a franchise scoring centerpiece, but the selection was a real first-round opportunity. Chicago also took the salaries of Asik, Allen and Nelson, and later moved or waived those players. The inherited Chicago A- grade values draft assets and flexibility, while the canonical Even Trade label conflicts with the numerically lower Pelicans C. That grading discrepancy should be visible instead of quietly changing either side. Each club gained something: New Orleans a useful playoff contributor and Chicago a first-round choice. The lasting balance depends on the relative value assigned to each.
Final Verdict
Even Trade is the inherited headline although Chicago grades A- and New Orleans C. The Pelicans acquired Nikola Mirotić and a 2018 second; Mirotić helped sweep Portland in 2018. Chicago received Asik, Allen, Nelson, a 2018 first used on No. 22 Chandler Hutchison and a 2021 second-round swap right.