Nikola Mirotic returned to practice but still isn’t speaking to Bobby Portis

Nikola Mirotic returned to practice for the Bulls on Monday, but that didn’t solve anything between he and Bobby Portis. The two forwards still haven’t spoken despite Mirotic’s return to the team from injury and Portis’ return from suspension, according to a report from the Chicago Sun Times.

Portis punched Mirotic in the face during a scuffle in practice and left him with a maxillary facial fracture and a concussion. Portis was suspended for eight games after the incident and Mirotic was left out of action for at least four-to-six weeks. Mirotic still isn’t ready to return to game action, but is able to get shots up in practice, according to Bulls Vice President John Paxson.

Mirotic told the organization that one of the two forwards must be traded for things to return to normal, and that he’d be willing to waive his no-trade clause in January when the time comes. But Paxson said the two must work things out because, as of now, they both still play in Chicago, according to the report.

“We’re still in the process of trying to work through everything,’’ Paxson said. “As I said last week, [Mirotic is] still under contract. Both him and Bobby are. We’re trying to find a way to integrate Niko back in. But that’s going to take some time.”

Although a locker room is a different work environment, things function just like a normal office space. At least that’s how Paxson sees it.

Mirotic doesn’t mind being moved and continues to insist that one of the two players is traded before they both return to regular action. Portis is already playing and Mirotic is on his way back.

It’s odd that they’re not speaking, but the two don’t have to speak in order to play together. It isn’t a great look that they’re still beefing, but so long as they’re productive, it won’t matter.

Hopefully they figure things out soon enough. But if they don’t, that’s fine, too. They’ll just have to deal with each other for 48 minutes a few nights out of the week.