Chicago has been trying to flip their 34-year-old two-time All-Star center for quite some time. To be exact, ever since DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso hit the road. After a scorching hot start to his 2024-25 campaign, the price tag for Vucevic was the highest it had been in several years, frankly, the most expensive since the Bulls traded for him in March of 2021. After failing to reach any trades over the last few months of 2024, things have only gotten more complicated over the previous three weeks. Although teams are starting to nest in the standings and gain an accurate outlook on the 2025 postseason race, Vucevic's play has worsened this month. His points, field goal percentage, and three-point field goal percentage have all decreased in the last 22 days, making his asking price again insignificant. What is the current offer on the table from Golden State, and is Chicago smart to take a deal now or wait until the trade deadline draws desperation from the league's potential suitors?
Package Around Moses Moody
Arturas Karnisovas dealt a flurry of assets away in March of 2021 when he acquired Orlando's All-Star center. As evidenced by Patrick Williams inking a new extension to lucrative amounts of money that has little to no support from the fanbase, Karnisovas has a difficult time admitting his faults and parting ways with pieces that he personally brought to the clubhouse. Vucevic is the latest example. Chicago's smartest move would've been to sell him last month while he was pacing Nikola Jokic and Domantas Sabonis in the stretch-five category, shooting lights out from three-point land. At that time, a first-round return was not out of the question. Now, it is far-fetched and doubtful.
The Bulls and Warriors have remained engaged in trade talks centered on Nikola Vucevic for weeks.
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) January 22, 2025
Chicago desires a 1st-round pick for Vucevic, but Golden State is only willing to include 2nd-round draft capital.
Golden State would send out expiring contracts to match salaries. pic.twitter.com/oBg38tCkkQ
Moses Moody or Kyle Anderson would be the best salary-filling assets that the Bulls could acquire without a third team getting involved. Even then, they would need to account for more of a salary gap to match Vucevic's $20 million annually. Only Moody would supply any value moving forward, and if he's coming to Chicago, draft capital will not be attached.
Vucevic's Drastic Decline
The 6'10" center has had a roller coaster of a season in Chicago. During the first several months, he was a legitimate candidate to make his third All-Star roster, averaging over 20 points, ten rebounds, and greater than 50% shooting from the field. He was also sniping at an incredible rate from deep, nearly 50% on three-point attempts through three months of play. In January, things have taken a significant turn for the worse. This will mark his first month under 20 points per outing and less than 50% from the field, combined with his worst stretch from the charity stripe and an atrocious 28.8% from three-point land. It could not have come at a less opportune time for Chicago's front office.
Vucevic is shooting 31.4% from 3 over the past 14 games. He’s 0-2 from 3 tonight. The Bulls completely blew an opportunity to trade him while he was disguised as a stretch 5. pic.twitter.com/RslAUYjqgK
— See Red Fred (@cbefred) January 20, 2025
Can the Bulls still convince a contending roster to buy high on Vucevic, or has that ship come and gone for Karnisovas's front-office group?
