4 Bulls on the Chopping Block After DeMar DeRozan Trade
By Jovan Alford
2. Nikola Vucevic
We haven’t heard Vucevic’s name mentioned in trade rumors this offseason, unlike LaVine. But it would be imperative for the Bulls to see how teams around the league view the 33-year-old center.
The 6-foot-10 center had a solid 2023-24 season despite the Bulls struggling to make the play-in tournament with a pedestrian 39-43 record. Vucevic averaged 18 points and 10.5 rebounds per game.
It was the sixth consecutive season that the veteran center averaged a double-double, which isn’t anything to sneeze at. Vucevic is only making $20 million next season and $21.4 million in 2025-26 before becoming a free agent in 2026.
With Vucevic’s production, plus contract, it wouldn’t be surprising to see teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers or New Orleans Pelicans give the Bulls a call. The Lakers have struck out on landing multiple free agents this offseason and could use a quality center to play alongside Anthony Davis.
Meanwhile, the Pelicans’ frontcourt is empty at the center spot after Jonas Valanciunas signed a three-year deal with the Washington Wizards in free agency. If I’m the Bulls’ front office, the idea of sending Vucevic to the Pelicans for Herb Jones or Brandon Ingram might be something to kick the tires on.
Nonetheless, if the Bulls don’t find a deal they like for Vucevic, they can always hold onto him until the trade deadline. At that point, the Bulls could potentially get a better deal, as contenders will be looking for that veteran player to get them over the hump.