All eyes turn to the roster after the Bulls' disappointing performance two days ago. The last 30 games saw a handful of stellar performances from surprise candidates. The emergence of new faces and injuries to some rising talents have made this summer intriguing. One of the hottest names and most curious cases is Nikola Vucevic, who turns 35 before next year begins and will enter his 15th season as a professional. With one year remaining on his current contract, and some thought-provoking answers in his presser yesterday, what's next for Chicago's big man?
No Value In A Rebuild
Frankly, Nikola Vucevic should not be in Chicago next season. The team is clearly entering a rebuild phase, having traded away Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan over the last year. Vucevic is the lone remaining piece of the original trio of All-Stars. Aside from the 34-year-old center, the Bulls' average age is 24.2. Coming off one of his best seasons in the NBA and most impressive campaigns with the franchise, his trade value has grown over the last year.
At some point, the Bulls have to move away from Vucevic
— Tommy Moran (@tommym0o3) April 17, 2025
While there is some value in upholding culture and competitiveness, having a 35-year-old center with an expiring contract on the floor wastes opportunities for young assets to develop. As a walking double-double and consistent three-point threat, there will be plenty of suitors for the next nine months of trade talks.
He Wants To "Win Now"
The best evidence toward the theory that Nikola Vucevic has played his final game as a Chicago Bull is his own words following the underwhelming finish to the year. Before inking his extension with the team in the summer of 2023, he hinted that his priorities were beginning to shift. At that stage, and once again, but more directly yesterday, he highlighted the lack of playoff success and that a career aspiration is to make an NBA Finals run. Those things are not going to happen in his current situation.
Nikola Vucevic says he's at the stage of his career where he wants to "win now" and make deep playoff runs. pic.twitter.com/TEXc8P7Q9O
— Bulls on CHSN (@CHSN_Bulls) April 17, 2025
Vucevic is under contract through the 2025-26 season, but it's unlikely he will ever make it to unrestricted free agency next summer. There's a valid argument that organizational malpractice will result in letting a 35-year-old win-now asset walk with no return, as that is precisely the type of move Arturas Karnisovas would make and has before. However, the Bulls would be wise to trade him this summer, or hope his production will remain consistent and impactful through the next trade deadline, when he'd be traded to the highest-bidding playoff contender.
Cast your vote for the future of the 14-year veteran. Do you want to see Vucevic back until next year's trade cutoff or shipped away this summer?
