The struggling Chicago Bulls appear ready to part ways with their core stars, but the question remains: how many of them can bring in positive trade value?
Following reports that team president Arturas Karnisovas aims to offload Chicago’s two most expensive players—injury-prone guards Zach LaVine and Lonzo Ball—new information indicates that the team’s third-highest-paid player could also be on the move.
Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reports that the Bulls are open to trading starting center Nikola Vucevic, provided unrestricted free agent small forward DeMar DeRozan signs elsewhere this summer. The team wants to focus on younger players and build for the future.
Vucevic has spent two seasons as a key part of Chicago’s core alongside DeRozan, LaVine, Ball, All-Defensive Team guard Alex Caruso, former lottery pick Patrick Williams, and guard Coby White. Despite this talented lineup, the Bulls have struggled to compete in the Eastern Conference, making the playoffs only once in 2022, where they were quickly eliminated by the Milwaukee Bucks.
In the 2022-23 season, with Ball sidelined due to a knee injury, the Bulls finished 40-42 and missed the playoffs. Vucevic, known for his passing and average three-point shooting, struggled defensively and thrived only when heavily featured in the offense. By 2023, it was evident that the Bulls should have let Vucevic walk in free agency.
However, the Bulls doubled down last summer, signing the 32-year-old Vucevic to a three-year, $60 million contract extension just before he became an unrestricted free agent. One season later, after finishing 39-43 without Ball and missing the playoffs again, the Bulls have realized Vucevic is not part of their future plans.
Vucevic, now 33, is still owed $41.5 million over the next two seasons. In 76 games last season (74 starts), he averaged 18 points on .484/.294/.822 shooting splits, 10.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 0.8 blocks, and 0.7 steals per game. Despite his offensive contributions, his lack of lateral quickness, limited verticality, and poor rim protection have become glaring weaknesses.
The challenge now is to trade Vucevic’s contract for value. The rebuilding Bulls need young players and future draft picks. However, if moving Vucevic requires the Bulls to attach draft picks, the team may decide to keep him on the roster. Without Caruso and likely DeRozan, the Bulls will be in a rebuilding phase, and Vucevic could contribute to their efforts to develop younger talent.
Ultimately, the Bulls’ front office must carefully navigate their next steps to ensure they maximize their return while setting the stage for a brighter future.