The Bulls gave up one of the biggest hauls in their franchise history to land Nikola Vucevic in early 2021. After giving up two first-round draft picks and Wendell Carter Jr., the Bulls were set on making Nikola Vucevic a big part of their team. Fast forward to today, he’s often the forgotten man behind Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan. With the Bulls’ best playmaker, Lonzo Ball, out likely for the remainder of the year, Vucevic’s opportunities with the Bulls have diminished with their isolation-heavy style of play.
The Bulls and Vucevic failed to come to an extension agreement last summer, which will make the Bulls center a free agent in a few months. If the Bulls and Vucevic were far apart in negotiations last summer, not much has changed for both parties this season which would lead to another stall. The difference this time will be Vucevic’s ability to test the open market and likely take the first reasonable offer that falls in his lap. While he hasn’t had an All-Star caliber career in his time in Chicago, there are plenty of desperate teams with a lot of cap space looking to improve their team. According to Darnell Mayberry from The Athletic, the Bulls are motivated to move Vucevic before the trade deadline.
“I’ve written at The Athletic that I think Nikola Vucevic is the main target that the Bulls have to look at in terms of an asset that they can be willing to move for the right price. He’s an expiring contract, and if they don’t move him they risk letting him walk for nothing in free agency this summer. So I don’t think they can allow that to happen. So if I’m looking at the deadline, I’m looking at Nikola Vucevic as a potential carrot that they can dangle out there.” – darnell mayberry from the athletic via cbs sports
Nikola Vucevic Trade Ideas
Chicago Bulls Trade: Nikola Vucevic, Patrick Williams, and Coby White
Phoenix Suns Trade: Deandre Ayton
Deandre Ayton reluctantly rejoined the Suns after signing an offer sheet with the Indiana Pacers last summer. Ayton has been a part of trade rumors since he helped the Suns reach the NBA Finals a few seasons ago. With the Suns struggling, they could finally pull the trigger and deal Ayton to salvage the rest of their season. Vucevic fits perfectly with the Suns as a stretch five, with Chris Paul running the point position. The Suns would add a few young pieces to their roster with Patrick Williams and Coby White to help them make a solid playoff push. The Bulls would be taking a risk by trading their remaining assets for an old-school center like Ayton. Perhaps a change of scenery for Ayton can take his game to the next level.
Chicago Bulls Trade: Nikola Vucevic & Coby White
Washington Wizards Trade: Kristaps Porzingis
Kristaps Porzingis has the injury-prone label attached to his name with every team he has been on. He has had a career resurgence with the Wizards averaging 22 points per game and playing most of the season. It’s unlikely he would be available in trade talks. However, if the Wizards decide to press restart and become sellers at the deadline, a move like this could help get Porzingis’ contract off the books while having a young player to develop in Coby White. The Bulls could add a better-suited complementary piece next to Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan and have Porzingis locked into a deal for an extra year.
Vooch is producing empty stats. The plus-minus doesn’t match his stats
bulls got to keep center -best guy on team -just get him a big forward to help on D and trade lazy no D Levine
Keep Vooch and Bring in a real Power Forward for DJJ & Portland’s Pick. If you really look at it he has been the most consistent and unselfish player on the team. Too much pick and roll not enough post touches for Vooch in my opinion you can’t live on jumpshots consistently unless you are the Golden State Warriors.
Ball not coming back Suprise Suprise Suprise. Anyone stupid enough to depend upon a Ball should be fired. But he sent a video of himself dunking a ball. Just a bunch of bs. The fans were suckers in this deal and believing this team could be contenders
Vooch and coby get the deal done with the suns…ayton doesn’t want to be there and ayton alone is not enough to send P-dub in that package. I’d do the phoenix trade, as it gets you the needed defense in the paint. I have 0 interest in the unicorn.