CHICAGO -- The Chicago Bulls officially announced Tuesday that they have come to terms with Nikola Mirotic.
The two-year contract will pay Mirotic a guaranteed $12.5 million for this season, a league source tells ESPN's Zach Lowe. The second year is a team option and comes with escalators and if picked up, Mirotic could make upwards of $27 million, according to a league source.
Mirotic was in good spirits during Tuesday's first practice of training camp.
"I'm very happy with my new contract to be honest," Mirotic said. "Very happy to be here, very thankful for the Chicago Bulls organization for this opportunity. I said at the end of the season that my goal is to be here, to do what I didn't do maybe those first three years. Be consistent, you know.
"I played some parts of the season well, some parts not so well, so I took this summer off and didn't play with the national team because I knew that I need to step up [physically] and with my weight, get stronger. And that was my only focus. Some people thought I was worried with my contract. No, I was very calm, working here until the middle of August. My weight is feeling great and I'm very excited. I'm looking forward to this season, you know.''
Mirotic, who spent much of his offseason working out at the Bulls facility, said he has gained 23 pounds since the end of last season. The Bulls are hoping that the 26 year-old can find the consistency in his game that has eluded him since coming to the NBA three years ago. Mirotic averaged 10.6 points and 5.5 rebounds last season.
"I finished [last season] 237, and 260 now," Mirotic said of his weight. "I'm feeling good. I've never felt that strong in my legs, feeling better with the rebounding, and I worked all summer in the low post, especially when I play that pick-and-roll and they switch me, so I need to be available to play in the low post against small guys."
Bulls center Robin Lopez acknowledged the difference in Mirotic's strength, saying he was still feeling the effects in his chest of tangling with Mirotic for the ball.
In just his fourth NBA season, Mirotic finds himself as the longest tenured Bull on the roster as the organization goes through a complete rebuild. For his part, Mirotic seems to be enjoying his surroundings as one of the veterans of the group. He has repeatedly stated over the years how much he and his family have enjoyed Chicago and he's looking forward to another year with a new group of young teammates.
"It's great, especially knowing how Fred wants to play this year," Mirotic said. "They're going to play fast, there's no more like holding the ball, playing isolation. Now it's more free, like when we used to play with Rajon on that second unit. Just play free and share the basketball. This is how it's going to look. This is the first practice and the team is looking good. Competing and that's what it's all about. Play strong and we have enough talent to score a lot, so we're going to be in good shape. I don't think we're going to be that bad like people are thinking.''