After finishing the 2024-25 season with career highs in three-point shooting and field goal percentage, Nikola Vucevic is entering his sixth and final season under contract with the Chicago Bulls. A report from Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times indicates that the Bulls are open to trading Vucevic before he hits the open market. With his reliable durability and recent development in his three-point shooting, Vucevic should command some value on the trade block if the Bulls are to shop him around the league. Here are three teams that would make sense as potential trade suitors for the Bulls if they decide to move Vucevic this summer.
3 Potential Trade Destinations for Nikola Vucevic
Golden State Warriors
If the Warriors want to build one more championship core around Stephen Curry, the Warriors could target Vucevic to bolster their frontcourt. The Warriors reportedly made a run at Vucevic this past trade deadline, so it seems likely they would reconsider the trade if they exit early from the playoffs.
Vucevic would instantly improve the Warriors’ offense. Golden State ranked bottom five in paint scoring this season, averaging a mere 44.5 points per game. Vucevic’s passing and improved three-point shooting fit the Warriors’ offense perfectly. As a system that is built on fast-paced ball movement, Vucevic provides the Warriors with the ideal floor spacing they have excelled with in the past.
While replacing Kevon Looney with Vucevic would hurt the Warriors’ defense a bit, pairing Vucevic with Draymond Green in lineups would be able to reduce the deficiency. As long as the Warriors can add an additional defensive center to the rotation, Vucevic’s offensive upside is worth the risk.
Los Angeles Lakers
After the Lakers traded Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic in February, a void was left in the Lakers’ frontcourt. The front office failed to trade for Mark Williams at the deadline after he failed his physical. Acquiring Vucevic would be a solid consolation prize. Vucevic offers elite post efficiency, which allows LeBron James and Luka to stay outside and dish it to Vucevic in the paint. Vucevic excels off screens and can be lethal from mid-range with Luka running a pick-and-roll offense.
Averaging 10.7 rebounds per game during his time in Chicago, Vucevic also offers an elite rebounding ability that the team has lacked since trading away AD. Vucevic would instantly become the team’s best rebounding option. Lastly, his improved three-point shooting allows him to be a reliable third scoring option for the Lakers and gives them a new “Big Three.” Adding Vucevic puts the Lakers in the best position possible to give LeBron one last chance at a ring.
New Orleans Pelicans
I previously wrote about how a Cowley proposed trade for Zion Williamson was too steep a price to pay earlier this week. However, if the Bulls can negotiate the asking price down, Zion’s superstar upside is worth taking a gamble on if the price is right. If the Bulls add a starting center to replace Zach Collins, Zion can thrive in the paint at his natural power forward position. Zion’s durability is a serious issue for a five-year, $197 million contract. But, as someone whose best statistical averages were 27/7/3, Zion is an All-NBA level player when healthy. It would be worth the gamble for the Bulls to start their new era.
Admittedly, Vucevic as a trade piece does not make the most sense for a rebuilding Pelicans team. However, if the Pelicans want to part ways with Zion, adding Vucevic makes him an ideal trade/buyout candidate down the line. He would also provide a much-needed healthy presence in the frontcourt if they were to keep him. Zion has played more than 30 games twice in six seasons. Vucevic’s durability for a 34-year-old is impressive and a major contrast. Vucevic never played fewer than 73 games in his five years as a Bull. If the Pelicans can build up their young core, Vucevic could anchor the team as a veteran presence.
The Last Word
These three teams offer the Bulls the most likely chance to shed Vucevic’s contract while continuing to get younger. If the Bulls front office can pull off any of these three proposals, myself and other Bulls fans should be fairly happy with these deals on paper. With a long offseason ahead, it will be crucial for the front office to assess and try to gain value for Vucevic before his contract expires next offseason.
Photo credit: © Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
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