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.
