So, a "Woj bomb" dropped on Tuesday afternoon and it seemed as if everything was in motion . . .

Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the New Orleans Pelicans and the Chicago Bulls are working on a trade to send Nikola Mirotic to New Orleans.

Coming in on the list of "not shocking news," the Bulls are continuing the direction of "the tank" as Mirotic will likely be the first casualty of trade. The Bulls were in discussions on Tuesday with the Pelicans in hopes of gaining assets and alleviating financial constraints as they keep their eyes on the prize, a lottery selection in the draft, while the Pelicans hoped to cash in on a stretch-four player in Mirotic that can help fill a void after Demarcus Cousins went down with a season-ending Achilles injury.

After an altercation with fellow teammate, Bobby Portis, and missing a total of 23 games due to a facial fracture from the "hook heard round the world," Nikola Mirotic has voiced displeasure regarding his role and not being in the starting lineup, so striving to get out of Chicago should come as no surprise. Everything seemed to be going fine, the Bulls were nearing in on a first-round pick, former Bull Omer Asik was coming back to Chicago and an unnamed player would fill salary requirements.

Then this happened:

New Orleans and Chicago had a deal for Nikola Mirotic, but it's fallen apart for now, league sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 30, 2018

Groans ensued soon after and they should. The Chicago Bulls cost themselves today, something Bulls fans have long been accustomed to when dealing with the regime that is "GarPax." The Bulls and Mirotic settled on a two-year deal worth $25 million in the offseason last year after Mirotic was unable to field better offers in restricted free agency. This extension ended up helping Mirotic Tuesday rather than hurt him with its included one-year Bird right provision.

Similar to a player having a no-trade clause, Mirotic must agree to trades that will not include his guaranteed salary of $12.5 million for 2018-19. The Pelicans in need of a scorer walk away much wiser by not committing to Mirotic and leave cash open for a major run at keeping Boogie in NOLA. Mirotic is averaging 16.8 points and 6.4 rebounds, but in no shape or fashion should the front office risk their future for the playoffs this season and let's not forget that behind Holiday and Davis they can still compete for the eighth spot.

With Mirotic wanting out and the Bulls looking to shed the cash off the books, it's only a matter of when at this point. It would be a real head-scratcher if the Bulls held onto Mirotic past the deadline on February 8. Another destination to watch for Mirotic to land is in Utah, a preferred destination and coach in Quinn Snyder have intrigued Mirotic, h/t Vincent Goodwill of Bulls Insider Chicago:

Jazz back in play for Niko. That was his preferred destination, FWIW https://t.co/V3hmhFU1RO

— Vincent Goodwill (@vgoodwill) January 31, 2018

Tony Jones of the Salt Lake City Tribune also confirmed Tuesday that with the Pelicans pulling their offer after being unable to commit to the contract in 2018-19, the Jazz are still in heavy pursuit.

Tribune sources: With the Mirotic to New Orleans deal hitting a pause, the Jazz continue their pursuit of Niko....Per sources, they are still hesitant to include a first, but they are interested and feel Mirotic can help their roster

— Tony Jones (@tribjazz) January 31, 2018