Chicago has been consistent through the first three months of this season that two-time All-Star Nikola Vucevic is up for grabs. The 34-year-old center has a contract that expires in the summer of 2026, and his $20 million annual average is among the league average at the center position. His ability to shoot the three-point ball at a 40% clip at nearly five attempts per outing isolates him from the rest of the field. The stretch-five-player archetype is highly sought after in today’s three-point-driven offensive game, and he’s the only player in the trade market in that category. While early indications saw the Golden State Warriors as the most aggressive trade partner for Chicago’s center, Jake Fischer, Bleacher Report’s NBA Insider, provided the most up-to-date information on where Vucevic’s market activity lies.
Warriors, Lakers Likely Out On Vucevic
Per Fischer, in his live stream this afternoon, Los Angeles and Golden State will likely not be adding Vucevic by the deadline. This is mainly due to Chicago’s asking price of one first-round draft pick, a price too steep for a mid-30s center with only one year left before hitting unrestricted free agency, with minimal postseason experience or success. He also hasn’t earned an All-Star nod in four years, has never been named to an All-NBA team, and does not provide much value defensively.
The Bulls' asking price for Warriors trade target Nikola Vučević reportedly has been deemed "too steep" https://t.co/1w6kKSEKGJ
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) January 24, 2025
Fischer notes that if the Bulls continue their lackluster month of January and slip entirely out of the playoff picture, this price tag could drop. The first team to jump on a discounted Vucevic would be Golden State, which is thought to be a destination the 6’10” would willingly join. His three-point abilities would fit seamlessly with Steve Kerr’s offense alongside Stephen Curry.
LaVine Talks Remain Silent, He Wants To Stay
During his NBA trade deadline rundown, Fischer also detailed that LaVine’s status remains unchanged. He wants to stay in Chicago despite being dangled in trade talks for much of the last two years, and the Bulls don’t have any legitimate suitors. There have been murmurs around the Golden State Warriors, Milwaukee Bucks, Denver Nuggets, Miami Heat, or Los Angeles Lakers potentially adding the two-time All-Star guard. Still, with his stellar play this month and Bradley Beal and Jimmy Butler being older and more expensive, he might’ve become the most valuable star guard over the next week. Chicago most recently asked for three first-round draft picks if a deal with Phoenix would happen.
The Golden State Warriors reportedly view Zach LaVine as a safer option than Jimmy Butler, per @anthonyVslater
“LaVine is viewed by some within the organization as the safer option. At 29, he’s five and a half years younger and some $6 million cheaper than Butler this season,… pic.twitter.com/6vSdhKF8R8
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 30, 2025
Over the next week, does Chicago move either of their former All-Stars and begin a full-scale rebuild? Can the Warriors land either of the two Bulls and help aid a playoff run?
