The Chicago Bulls have accepted the inevitable: Nikola Vucevic is not part of their long-term future. The team has finally decided to trade their center, but is it too late? Can they still find value in a trade? Or will some team get Vucevic for a cheap price?
Bulls Finally Ready to Move Vucevic: Are Teams Still Buying?
According to the latest reports, the Chicago Bulls are finally to trade Nikola Vucevic, but can they still find value in such a deal? Nikola is a serviceable big who has averaged a double-double for the last four seasons. But he is also a 34-year-old center with issues on the defensive end. What is his value on the market?
The Chicago Bulls are looking to trade Nikola Vucevic, per @AmicoHoops pic.twitter.com/He7KRmPEwG
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 28, 2025
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For example, when the Bulls traded DeMar DeRozan last summer, all they got was Chris Duarte and two second-round picks. Are they heading to a similar market with Vucevic as well?
Do Teams Want Nikola Vucevic?
There were rumors at the 2025 deadline that the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers wanted to trade for Vucevic. Those two will likely be the favorites to get him again in the summer. The Lakers might be looking for a different type of center now that they have Luka Doncic on the roster. For the Warriors, Vucevic gives them a legitimate center and can have Draymond Green play as a power forward. Last season, he finished with a career-high 40% from three-point range, something that the Warriors love to have.
The challenge for the Bulls is that Vucevic will not be a trade priority for other teams. The Warriors and the Lakers will likely try to get a better star. Should they miss out on other targets, they might pivot to Nikola.
Nikole Vucevic Realistic Trade Value
Vucevic has one more year left on his contract at $21 million. That is a great price for someone giving you 18 points and 10 rebounds per game. Of course, those stats will look different on a contender, where Vucevic might not get 15 shots per game.
Vucevic is 34 years old and is entering the tail end of his career. Still, he has proven to be quite reliable. He has played 70+ games in the last four seasons at 30+ minutes per game. Two years ago, or even a season ago, the Bulls could have asked one or two first-round picks for Vucevic. Now, they will be lucky if they get a late first-round pick.
Should Chicago fail to find value, a pick, or a young player with potential, they might be better off keeping him on the roster. There will still be contenders looking to add one more piece at the deadline. And if nothing more, they can position themselves as players in the summer of 2026. Right now, the Bulls have only $45 million in committed salary for the 2026-27 season. That is without re-signing Josh Giddey this summer.
Chicago has a history of hanging onto players for too long. We can make an argument that Vuc belongs on that list as well. He is coming off the best year of his career, and a fairly cheap salary can make him a desirable asset. The future should be good for Chicago with their young core of Giddey and Matas Buzelis, but Nikola Vucevic is not part of that future.
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