After ending the last two seasons in the same fashion, via a Play-In Tournament loss, this summer brought many changes for the Chicago Bulls. Alex Caruso was flipped for Josh Giddey, the first indication that Chicago was trying to gain youthful assets. Next, DeMar DeRozan was sent to Sacramento following a sign-and-trade deal for minimal assets. After seeing Matas Buzelis prove to be one of the most explosive rookies in the 2024-25 rookie class and only retaining one player over the age of 30, fans have begun to theorize that the Bulls might be opting to sacrifice this season for the betterment of the future. Not only would tanking grant them the top-ten protected pick that they currently owe the San Antonio Spurs in next year's 2025 NBA Draft, but it would also allow their rookie Buzelis, 24-year-old runner-up Most Improved Player from a season ago Coby White, and newly acquired 21-year-old point guard Giddy opportunity to gain plenty of experience. Why would all eyes then turn to Vucevic?
Playing To Earn His Next Set Of Threads
Vucevic is currently inked through the next two seasons for $20 million per campaign when he enters unrestricted free agency at age 35. He's spoken in recent years of how one of his final career aspirations is to compete for an NBA Championship and make a deep run in the postseason. Realistically, the Chicago Bulls will not be contending for the Larry O'Brien Trophy without an unforeseen complete overhaul of assets in the next two years. The best chance for Vucevic to pursue this goal is to earn a vote of confidence from a team in the buyer's market when the 2025 trade deadline rolls around.
If Chicago's big man can return somewhat near his back-to-back All-Star form from before being dealt to the Bulls, they'll sell the 33-year-old to the highest-bidding playoff team at the deadline. A three-point shooting big man is a valuable asset in today's game, especially when the deadline is rapidly approaching and other teams are improving their postseason package. The hurdle for Vucevic being traded is the risk of front-office leader Arturas Karnisovas, having traded for the Magic's center three years prior, effectively admitting defeat in that transaction. Seeing how much faith he has granted his first draft choice, 4th overall selection Patrick Williams, proves he hasn't been willing to admit his faults yet.
The Best News For Chicago
The thing that makes Vucevic more of a trade asset than Zach LaVine is his salary. LaVine's contract scares away potential suitors when they notice he is a top-15 paid player who hasn't played an entire, healthy season, won a single postseason series, and only has two All-Star nods from several seasons ago. However, the 6'10 big man's salary is 13th among centers and fairly team-friendly. He's being paid less than Brook Lopez, Clint Capela, and Myles Turner. Playoff teams that need a playmaking and three-point shooting center will be calling.
Does Chicago part ways with their oldest player to further accelerate the inevitable rebuild?
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