I've seen two of Mirtoic's games via crappy Spanish internet tv along with all of the youtube highlights we've all seen here. So take my opinion FWIW as it is with a limited sample, but I know one thing: HE IS ABSOLUTLEY NOTHING LIKE TONI KUKOC.
If we could stop that reference immediately- I would appreciate. Kukoc was a finesse player who could make plays in the half court, but played more like a 3 than a 4 whereas Mirotic isn't much of a playermaker at all. Kukoc was also extremely average in transition whereas Mirotic is very capable at running the floor. I'm not saying Toni wasn't a good player- he was. I'm also not saying Mirotic doesn't have great potential- he does. They're just very different players and the only similarity they have is they are/were foreign properties of the Bulls. That is it.
In regards to Mirotic- he is much much more physical than Kukoc was. I understand this isn't saying much, but Niko will at least show flashes of ability with his back to the basket and has the willingness to post up smaller players. Whether or not this will translate to the NBA- we'll see. I believe Niko's lack of athletic ability will hamper his ability to be effective in the post consistently in the NBA, but we'll see. His strength is also a question mark coming over, but he has a frame where he can build on that- so we'll see there as well.
Niko's 3pt ability has been well documented- and believe me, it will be elite. The Bulls couldn't have added two better shooters than in Niko and Doug McD this off-season....this guy can flat out flush it and his release is high and quick. He is better at this in finding space in transition as his pick & pop game needs a lot of work, but we'll see. He is also wonderful at running lane to lane in transition- he's a natural scorer and knows he can get a hustle bucket or two by beating his man down for an easy lay-up----I really love that about his game.
It is impossible to find a comparison right now as he is a unique player. In regards to his ability to find spacing in transition and dril a 3- I liken him to Peja. However, Peja didn't have anywhere near his ability to score inside at times. When international scouts were saying Niko would have been a top 4 or 5 pick in last year's draft- I believe it.
If Niko can somehow find 20min a game next year- Niko could average 10 & 4 for the Bulls while shooting 40% from 3. While he is a far thing from a sure thing- a start like this next year would show a bright future for Niko.