This season appears to be the year of the big man, with as many as five to eight centers already dangled in trade talks. Among the most talked about is Nikola Vucevic, the 34-year-old two-time All-Star for Chicago, who is on pace for one of the best seasons of his 14-year career. He’s signed to one of the more team-friendly contracts for a player of his caliber, owed $20 million this year and next season. Although the age may scare potential suitors away, his three-point shooting abilities and offensive firepower will land him with a contending roster. The buzz for his departure started over the summer when the Bulls shipped away fellow veterans Alex Caruso and DeMar DeRozan in favor of gaining youth and future assets. While no legitimate traction was made during the offseason, the phone lines have picked up immensely over the past few weeks. Who has been calling, and how likely will Vucevic be in new threads in 2025?
Vucevic’s scorching hot start from three-point land, shooting 48.0% on nearly five attempts per night, is actively earning increased trade merit. The versatility allows a potential trade partner to deploy him as the center in a stretch-five or big-man tandem role with a more true center, similar to Karl Anthony-Towns and Rudy Gobert, who played alongside one another for several years in Minnesota. The Atlanta Hawks recently reported that they’re shopping Clint Capela, which puts Vucevic’s value in perspective. Capela cannot shoot the three-ball, has no offensive arsenal that Chicago’s big man possesses, and is making more money in a contract that releases him to unrestricted free agency this summer. A potential suitor for Vucevic would own his contract through the 2025-26 campaign.
Lakers, Clippers, Bucks, Pelicans, Knicks and Warriors all looking for frontcourt help; per @JakeLFischer
The Lakers' interest in acquiring a center has been well-documented. Clippers coach Tyronn Lue has long desired a switchable reserve to complement Ivica Zubac, league… pic.twitter.com/bKYQmBc0bf
— BASKETBALL ON ???? (@BASKETBALLonX) December 19, 2024
The Bucks and Warriors have been commonly mentioned spots for Vucevic to land, whereas the remaining names would be new players in trade talks. Four of the six teams seeking help in the size department are in the bottom ten for three-point attempts per game, and two are in the bottom ten for three-point percentage. Adding Vucevic’s quantity and three-point quality makes it possible for any of these suitors to match the top contending rosters in the league.
Vucevic’s career year could not have been more opportune for the Chicago Bulls. Unfortunately for them, if history is any indication, being so close to playoff contention will withhold any trades that would seemingly make their season plummet. Front office leader Arturas Karnisovas has a pattern of being unreasonably stubborn, refusing to trade away aging roster pieces for future benefit if the team is within striking distance of the postseason, despite the lack of potential for championship contention. If the Bulls can regress below the NBA Play-In threshold, he might be more inclined to pull the trigger.
Do non-Bulls fans know that, for some reason, 34-year-old Nikola Vucevic is having a career year scoring the ball?
– 21.1 PPG (second most in a season, behind '20-'21)
– 58.7% FG (career-high)
– 47.5% 3PT (career-high, averaging 2.2 makes on 4.6 attempts)Trade value ???????????? https://t.co/G932JWbfFB
— Austin Zeglis (@austinzeglis) December 19, 2024
Chicago should trade away Vucevic and other aging assets in exchange for a brighter future. With enough losses, they can also retain their protected top-ten pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Still, anything beyond 10th overall will result in surrendering that draft selection and continuing the Bulls’ extended mediocrity. Will Karnisovas finally cut ties with the failed experiment of LaVine and Vucevic, or will he go down with the fire he created and hand this mess to the next front office?
