Nikola Vucevic is finishing the last year of his contract with the Chicago Bulls and will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. Starting all 70 games so far and putting up his best season in Chicago, he'll undoubtedly be looking for a big payday. The Bulls are a lowly 91-92 in his tenure with the team and only have one playoff win. While his emergence this season as the man in the middle would be great to keep around for the future, the 12-year veteran is turning 33 years old before the start of next season, and attrition is bound to set in sooner than later. What's the most realistic outlook on his future in the Windy City?
Headed For The Door
Similar to everything else for the Bulls this offseason, seeing that they will likely not be in the playoffs nor retain their first-round draft pick (top-four protected), there will be a lot of potentially franchise-altering decisions to be made. Zach LaVine is likely the safest player on the roster. Seeing his second-half surge and newly signed deal, at his age and potential, he'll be the focus for the future. DeMar DeRozan is reportedly seeking a max contract, and although he's got a year left on his existing deal, if Chicago wishes to retain him in the future, they may pursue that option. If it's full-on rebuild mode, he'll likely be traded to a contender who will match his desired contract needs.
Next up is the Bulls' big man, Vucevic. While he's expressed interest in returning and has admittedly found his stride again this season, there's also been several bumps in the road. Not reaching an extension before the trade deadline was a bit of a red flag, and the reports of his unsettling with specific incidents since only spikes concern even further for his departure.
"aCCORDING TO A SOURCE CLOSE TO THE SITUATION, VUCEVIC HAS NOT BEEN THRILLED WITH SOME OF THE RECENT FINGER POINTING GOING ON, AND THIS WASN’T THE FIRST TIME HE WAS UNHAPPY WITH THE TONE IN WHICH HE — AND OTHER TEAMMATES — WERE SPOKEN TO,”…”WHILE THE SOURCE SAID IT WASN’T JUST A “BEVERLEY-VOOCH THING,” IT DOES PUT IN QUESTION THE EXACT LEADERSHIP HIERARCHY WITH THIS ROSTER.”
Joe Cowley of Chicago Sun-Times
This report was following a verbal altercation between him and his new teammate Patrick Beverley over a defensive lapse, and the center is visibly upset with the scolding he received. This doesn't scream someone who wants to jump at the opportunity to return in the future.
Extension Would Cement Chicago's Mediocrity
Cap space and longevity are the two red flags associated with bringing back Nikola Vucevic beyond this year. The most Chicago can offer with their cap situation and the current CBA is 120% of his current deal or four years for 118 million dollars. For reference, Myles Turner just inked a two-year deal worth 58 million dollars.
Vucevic is a level above Turner, and although he's got a few more miles on his resume, he'll likely seek more than the 29 million dollars annual value that the Pacers big man was able to secure. While the Bulls deal would only edge that by half a million per year average, doubling its' length would entice Vucevic to stick around at his age. Is that really best for the Bulls? Signing a dead-end aging center already past his prime and would absorb most of the team's available cap space?
"I know how valuable I am to this team, It's not like I’m a third- or fourth-year player, just trying to establish myself and establish my value. It’s pretty well-known around the league what I can do, what I bring to the table."
Nikola Vucevic via the Chicago Sun-Times
Mixed Signals
Despite the cost, age, and lack of success since his arrival, front office leader Arturas Karnisovas mentioned his return for the future around the trade deadline. Vucevic also weighed in on his words, but reading between the lines may lead fans to believe he's already decided on his next destination.
"He’s having an unbelievable year, And you know we want him to be here.”
Arturas Karnisovas via NBC Chicago
With no mention of where the contract talks were stalled or how much negotiation took place, it's tough to gauge how far the two sides are apart or if either camp is waiting this season out before deciding to pursue one another. Vucevic gave his opinion on the front office singing his praises but again expressed mixed emotions regarding his future.
"It’s nice to hear that the front office has confidence in you and believes in you. I’m in a good place. If they want to continue, we can come to an agreement. I’d consider it for sure, but also, being a free agent, I’ll have opportunities to look at other stuff."
Nikola Vucevic via HoopsHype
He continued to speak about the goals he has for his career and what accolades he would like to accomplish before hanging it up. Mentioning wanting to reach and compete in the NBA Finals may hint that if this team doesn't make serious strides toward contention, he'll be headed elsewhere.
"I want to win and see how far I can go in the playoffs, and hopefully, the ultimate goal would be to get to the Finals and compete for a championship."
Nikola Vucevic via HoopsHype
Last week, Vucevic said, "it's hard to look at it that way" when asked if this team could still turn the season around and make a serious playoff push. Given his desire to make deep postseason appearances, the market value for the most coveted center in free agency, and the increasingly frustrated signals coming from the Bulls big man, an extension is not likely.
Where will he land next year, and who will Chicago snag to man the middle?
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