While Anthony Davis has been the player the most largely discussed when it comes to all of the trade rumors surrounding the NBA, the New Orleans Pelicans dealt another player on Thursday in Nikola Mirotic. It was reported by NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski that the Milwaukee Bucks would be receiving Mirotic in exchange for Jason Smith and Stanley Johnson who was most recently acquired from the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Thon Maker. The Bucks will also be sending the Pelicans four second-round picks.
The Bucks currently have the best record in the NBA and are first place in the Eastern Conference at 40-13. With Giannis Antetokounmpo on pace to potentially win the league MVP award, Mirotic could add a necessary piece to the puzzle for a team looking to make a deep playoff run.
Mirotic is averaging 16.6 points and 8.2 rebounds per game this season. The Bucks' newest player hasn't played since last January due to a calf injury, although he should be back for the Bucks soon.
The move to acquire Mirotic looks to have been a longterm plan by the Bucks as the Maker trade is what has facilitated this move to happen. Stay tuned for more NBA trade deadline updates.