Throughout last season and a free agency that lasted all summer, Nikola Mirotic always maintained his desire to remain with the Bulls.

That same stance has again been communicated by Mirotic’s camp to management even after Bobby Portis’ punch broke two bones in Mirotic’s face and caused a concussion last week.

But there’s a growing sense that Mirotic would find returning to a locker room with Portis difficult. In an odd way, the severity of Mirotic’s injuries could help assuage the delicate and fluid situation merely by the passage of time. Emotions remain raw for now.

Coach Fred Hoiberg talked to Mirotic on Tuesday afternoon and said he had a Wednesday afternoon checkup for his concussion. Mirotic can’t have surgery on his fractures — if that’s the route he and his representatives choose — until he exits the league’s concussion protocol.

Mirotic, who is expected to miss four to six weeks, can veto any trade per the two-year deal he signed that contains a team option.

kcjohnson@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @kcjhoop