Veteran Nikola Vucevic could very wel be the next member of the Chicago Bulls headed out of town. They already dealt away Alex Caruso to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Chicago is also ready to trade wing Zach Lavine. Meanwhile, reports indicate that DeMar DeRozan has played his final game in the Windy City.
It’s all part of a broader “retool” process from Bulls front office head Artūras Karnišovas with the team having failed to win a playoff series in a decade.
Matt Moore of The Action Network reports that the Bulls are looking to trade the 33-year-old Vucevic this summer.
“The Bulls are known to be looking to move Nikola Vucevic, along with the never-ending Zach LaVine saga,” Moore reported. “The Caruso trade both helps and hurts those efforts because Caruso’s contract was a quality lubricant for teams willing to take on those contracts, which now isn’t available.”
An All-Star earlier in his career with both the Orlando Magic and Bulls, Vucevic could very well be seen as a valuable commodity for contending teams. He’s expanded his game to three-point range over the past several seasons, making the Switzerland native more of a modern stretch big.
- Nikola Vucevic stats (2018-14): 19.5 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 3.5 APG, 49% shooting, 35% 3-point
This type of consistency is not typical around the Association for a big. Add in the fact that Vucevic is playing under a team-frendly three-year $60 million contract, and there is going to be a ton of interest in his services.
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Potential destinations for Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic in a trade
Here, we look at four teams that make the most sense for Vucevic and a potential return for the rebuilding Bulls.
- Golden State Warriors: This team made a big play for both Caruso and Vucevic ahead of the in-season NBA trade deadline. Golden State has been interested in him for some time. It is also in need of a stretch five. Vucevic obviously fits the mold. The Warriors pushed back against including Moses Moody in previous talks with Chicago. That likely won’t be the case this time around, with the team looking to contend in 2024-25. A package surrounding Moody, Kevon Looney and Gary Payton II could work. All three are expiring contracts. Golden State can also offer up draft compensation to make it work.
- New York Knicks: After acquiring Mikal Bridges in a blockbuster trade and retaining OG Anunoby, it’s not yet known whether the Knicks will be able to bring back Isaiah Harstenstein. If so, their only hole as at the five. Mitchell Robinson is also firmly on the trade block. Why not offer up the 26-year-old Robinson, a young player in Miles McBride and draft compensation? Chicago would take this package without hesitation.
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- Indiana Pacers: Even after re-signing Pascal Siakam, the Pacers are looking for more upgrades after a surprise trip to the Eastern Conference Finals. Meanwhile, Myles Turner has been on the block for some time. This deal would not necessarily involve Turner or would have to include a third team. But Nikola Vucevic seems to be a better fit in Indiana. The Pacers could entice Chicago with 24-year-old wing Aaron Nesmith, 20-year-old forward Jarace Walker and draft capital.
- New Orleans Pelicans: Veteran center Jonas Valanciunas could depart in free agency. New Orleans did attempt to address this position in the first round of the NBA Draft with Baylor’s Yves Missi. But he’s not ready to make an impact. The idea of teaming Vucevic up with Zion Williamson might be too hard for New Orleans to pass up on. In turn, the Bulls add young options in Herbert Jones and Dyson Daniels.
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