Are the Bulls Looking to Trade Their Two-Time All-Star Center Before the Deadline?
The NBA world has been going nuts with what’s been happening in the past few days. Luka Dončić is now a Los Angeles Laker, and Anthony Davis is now a Dallas Maverick. Also, in a three-team deal, De'Aaron Fox got traded to the San Antonio Spurs, and Zach LaVine was traded from the Bulls to the Sacramento Kings. With the trade deadline ending tomorrow afternoon, fans are wondering what other trades are likely to happen. Will Kevin Durant stay in Phoenix? Is Jimmy Butler going to find a new team? Chicago Bulls fans are also speculating if star big man Nikola Vučević is going to be traded before the deadline.
In the trade that sent LaVine to the Kings, in return, the Bulls received Zach Collins, Kevin Huerter, Tre Jones, and a 2025 first-round pick. It’s no secret that the Bulls are in the rebuilding stage and are trying to build off the young talent that they have, such as Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, Patrick Williams, Matas Buzelis, Josh Giddey, and even Lonzo Ball. Adding these three players from the LaVine trade could open up some eyes to new potential within this young roster. The Bulls currently sit at 10th in the Eastern Conference with a 22-29 record and have been in that spot for a while now. If the Bulls have any intention of making a push for the playoffs in the future, they have to make moves that will push them ahead.
Vučević’s journey with the Bulls started in 2021 when he was traded from the Orlando Magic in exchange for Wendell Carter Jr., Otto Porter Jr., and two future first-round picks. During the summer of 2023, Vučević signed a three-year, $60 million contract extension with the Bulls, which keeps him under contract through the 2025-26 season. With an average annual salary of $20 million, the veteran center was one of the highest-paid players on the Bulls roster. Since the Bulls have been shifting toward a rebuild, Vučević’s future in Chicago is quite uncertain, as his name has been coming up in a lot of trade rumors for teams who need a solid big man.
Nikola Vučević has been nothing short of reliable for the Bulls since he arrived in 2021. He brings elite rebounding, a soft touch around the rim, and a very polished offensive game. A two-time all-star, Vučević was a constant double-double machine, providing veteran leadership and stability in the frontcourt. Given his skill set and production, his contract is reasonably valued compared to some other starting-caliber centers around the league. With the deadline fast approaching, is it possible that we’ll see Nikola Vučević be traded to a contender looking to bolster their roster with a proven center?
