With trade deadline season in full swing, updates are rolling in with each passing day. While the sources may vary and reports are widespread, peicing together the evidence can give a fairly accurate picture as to how the next two weeks will unfold. In Chicago’s case, this is one of the most sporadic sets of rumors and different notions. With half of the roster set to hit unrestricted free agency and the team pacing to miss the postseason, yet not claim a top-ten draft pick, for a fourth consecutive year, significant changes are expected. For the last month, and starting before the regular season began, Nikola Vucevic was a surefire trade asset. Shipping him to a contending roster for low-grade draft capital or unproven talent was the best bet. A report last week surfaced saying that Billy Donovan is vouching to keep the 35 year old center, and that he would vote the franchise brings him back in free agency this summer on a team-friendly deal. Today’s update most likely gives the final verdict on what will happen to Vucevic before the February 5th trade cutoff.
Vucevic Staying Put Is Now The Favorite
Since the beginning of the 2025-26 campaign, the best bet for any single player to not finish the season with the Bulls would be Nikola Vucevic. He’s 35 years old, on a contract that expires this summer, serves no purpose in a rebuild setting, and has expressed desire to finish his career contending for an NBA title. His three-point shooting abilities and scoring prowess from all three levels makes him a solid addition to a playoff roster. Despite playing some of his best basketball this season, the market seems minimal. Here’s what the latest report says Vucevic’s fate will be.
Latest trade intel from @JakeLFischer:
— Hawks, Raptors no longer in significant trade talks for Anthony Davis
— Raptors aren't actively pursuing Ja Morant but are still intrigued by Domantas Sabonis
— Unlikely that Bulls trade Nikola Vucevic before the deadline
— Pelicans…— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) January 22, 2026
This is nightmare fuel for Bulls nation. Fans can admit that he contributes to winning, and has made a lot of clutch plays this season. He’s one of the most consistent and dependable peices on the roster. That being said, he serves no purpose if the goal is a rebuild, and the target time frame for contention is three or more years. A 35 year old center taking away minutes from developing assets and helping stack wins, worsenining their draft position, only hinders the organization. This would be laughable, but expected, from Arturas Karnisovas.
Matching The Patrick Williams Theory
Arturas Karnisovas has proven to be a prideful and stubborn front office leader. If there’s an asset that he specifically drafted or acquired, it’s been made painfully obvious that he will extend the longest of grace periods to see that player’s evolvement through. Patrick Williams was his first draft pick with the franchise, and despite a horrid start to his career was granted a lucrative and lengthy extension. Vucevic was AK’s first significant trade acquisition, and while he may no longer hold value in the long run, parting ways with his own product would be admitting defeat or fault. Expect him to treat Vucevic exactly how he’s dealt with Williams, retaining him despite the entire NBA world seeing the apparent flaws. If this report from a week ago is true, and appeal is up around the league, this is especially infuriating activity from Chicago’s front office.
Nikola Vucevic trade market has more “enhanced appeal” than years past, per @JakeLFischer
(https://t.co/Mged7UZMzn) pic.twitter.com/YlYt3yVI0K
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) January 14, 2026
As painful as it is to admit, the more reports that surface, the more this trade deadline is drifting toward another silent period for the Bulls. Mediocrity has led them to a few games out of playoff contention, something Karnisovas will use to defend the minimal movement, and the franchise will be destined again to miss the postseason, yet not draft in the top-ten, for a fourth consecutive season.
A failure to trade away Nikola Vucevic in the next two weeks should earn Arturas Karnisovas an immediate firing and relief of duties.
