The Bulls have failed to reach an extension agreement with Nikola Vucevic, which will make him an unrestricted free agent this summer. The Bulls still have the option of extending Vucevic, but it seems both sides are too far apart to make progress on a potential contract. According to KC Johnson from NBC Sports Chicago, the Bulls keep their options open on trading Vucevic at the deadline instead of risking losing him at the start of free agency.

Nikola Vucevic Trade Scenarios

It’s doubtful the Chicago Bulls will get a similar return for Nikola Vucevic as the trade package they sent to Orlando to acquire him from the Magic. The Bulls gave up two first-round picks and Wendell Carter Jr., which in hindsight, makes the Bulls the clear-cut losers of that trade. It hasn’t been a total loss for the Bulls. Vucevic remains one of the best stretch big men in the league, averaging 17.5 PPG and 11 RPG, which beats his career averages for both categories at the age of 32. Regardless, the Bulls do not seem interested in extending Vucevic for a possible worth of $118 million over four years. That gives the Bulls no other choice but to trade him.

Bulls Trade: Nikola Vucevic

Blazers Trades: Jusuf Nurkic, Shaedon Sharpe, and eliminates 2023 pick protection the Bulls own

The Blazers are hellbent on keeping Damian Lillard and retooling around him. With Jerami Grant on the roster as well, Portland isn’t looking for a rebuild anytime soon. The Blazers could upgrade their center position by adding Vucevic, which could help them make a playoff push. The Bulls would get the restrictions eliminated from the pick they received in the Lauri Markkanen deal. They would also keep their size with Nurkic down low.

Bulls Trade: Nikola Vucevic

Hornets Trades: Terry Rozier and Mark Williams

The Charlotte Hornets were never a free-agent destination. They tend to overpay a ridiculous price tag for players who decide to join the Hornets. They could go for Vucevic and extend him, putting an All-Star caliber player next to LaMelo Ball. It’d be a very classic Hornets move to do that. As they’ve been shopping Terry Rozier, the Bulls would happily take him in return, along with Mark Williams, to replace Vucevic in the starting lineup.