Pelicans trade Mirotic to Bucks

Jan 21, 2019; Memphis, TN, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Nikola Mirotic (3) goes to the basket against Memphis Grizzlies guard Yuta Watanabe (12) during the first half at FedExForum.
Photo credit USA TODAY Sports

The New Orleans Pelicans have traded forward Nikola Mirotic to the Milwaukee Bucks, according to reports.  In return, the Pelicans will receive four second round picks, plus forward/center Jason Smith and wing Stanley Johnson in the trade.   

Johnson, who is averaging 7.5 points and 3.6 rebounds per game, is just 22 years old and will be a restricted free agent this offseason.  The Pelicans will have the option to match any offer in free agency and bring him back next season.

Pelicans get two months to look at a young wing who will be a RFA and 4 second round picks (which will be bad but can be added sweetener in the future) for Mirotic. Not too bad

— Jake Madison (@NOLAJake) February 7, 2019

Smith, 32, will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.  He's averaging 3.7 points and 3.1 rebounds per game this season.

Mirotic was a pivotal part of the Pelicans playoff run last year, but has battled injuries for much of this season while playing in only 32 of the team's 55 games.  He averaged 16.7 points and 8.3 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 36% from three point range. 

Mirotic is expected to be a pivotal rotational player for the Bucks, who currently have the best record in the Eastern Conference.

The Pelicans made the trade just hours before the 2:00 p.m. CT trade deadline.