It didn't take long for Nikola Mirotic to make an impact on Milwaukee.
The forward was traded to the Bucks by the Pelicans in February and has played just six games for his new team. But, during Mirotic's short time in Milwaukee, he has already helped recruit Pau Gasol, telling his fellow Spaniard about the "special" organization.
Gasol then signed with the Bucks last weekend.
"I said, ‘Listen, man, I really feel this team is special and if you want to be part of something special you should join this team,’" Mirotic said he told Gasol, via the Journal Sentinel.
Pau Gasol reached out to Nikola Mirotic -- his former Bulls & Spain teammate -- to ask about the Bucks. Here's what Mirotic recalls saying:
— Matt Velazquez (@Matt_Velazquez) March 4, 2019
"I said, ‘Listen, man, I really feel this team is special and if you want to be part of something special you should join this team.’"
Gasol said Mirotic, a former teammate of his in Chicago, texted him hourly last Friday in anticipation of San Antonio buying out his contract. It didn't take long for Gasol to make a decision once he became a free agent.
Once Gasol let Mirotic know about the possibility of teaming up in MKE, he said Mirotic kept texting him for updates. On Friday--deadline day to get bought out & be eligible for the playoffs w/ a new team--those texts picked up:
— Matt Velazquez (@Matt_Velazquez) March 4, 2019
“He was texting me almost every hour," Gasol said.
Gasol is a six-time All-Star and two-time NBA champion. He is averaging career lows of 4.2 points and 4.7 rebounds in his 18th season.
Mirotic, on the other hand, is averaging 12.2 points and 5.3 rebounds since joining Milwaukee.
The Bucks have the best record in the NBA with a mark of 48-15.
