First reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic, Bulls' center Nikola Vucevic signed a three-year extension in the neighborhood of 60 million dollars. Due to team policy, the exact details of the contract have not been disclosed, but the length is confirmed to be three years, and the salary is in the range of 20 million dollars annually over that time. This was the number one priority coming into the offseason for Chicago, and although on paper it may seem the Bulls overpaid a bit to bring back their man in the middle, the options on the market were running thin. What does this mean for the Bulls' future, and does this deal initiate further action this offseason?
Bulls In Win Now Mode
Although this re-signing does not surprise any Bulls' fans, it means the team will not undergo a complete rebuild. A sign-and-trade of the 32-year-old center would have certainly started a series of roster-altering moves to gain future draft capital and more young talent than they currently possess. It also would mean moving their veteran pieces with end-loaded contracts in exchange for underdeveloped talent with upside moving forward. If that were the route the franchise would have taken, it would have all taken place before last Thursday's NBA Draft when the most potential growth was possible. Nonetheless, Chicago has locked up their 18-point, 11-rebound stretch big for the foreseeable future and will try to re-tool this roster around their big-three for a chance at contention.
With DeMar DeRozan heading into his contract year and Zach LaVine gaining another season on the ticker, the most likely direction for Chicago is to address the point guard position and three-point shooting in one last effort for this group to make a deep postseason run. The candidates to look out for would be Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet, or possibly Derrick Rose in a homecoming scenario. Bulls' front office leader Arturas Karnisovas confirmed following the 2023 NBA Draft that ownership has granted the franchise permission to dip into the luxury tax if needed to bolster this roster's talent.
Ayo Dosunmu And Coby White Offers
In a bit quieter news than the return of their starting center, the Bulls have also extended qualifying offers to point guards Ayo Dosunmu and Coby White. Bulls fans would much rather bring back White than Dosunmu if one were to walk, as he has shown significant growth in his four NBA seasons. Last season he was the second-highest volume three-point shooter for the team and became the primary ball-handler and playmaker off the bench for Chicago. Due to his noticeable improvement, some competitive offers will be made to White, whereas Dosunmu won't have near as many potential suitors. Chicago will likely need to match a higher offer that will soon be made to the 23-year-old guard out of North Carolina.
Looking ahead to the rest of the offseason, Chicago will mainly be looking at a starting and reserve point guard. Landing a big name such as Lowry or VanVleet will instantly place them back in the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference, and retaining Coby White will ensure bench scoring, outside shooting, and a future starting point guard based on his current trajectory. White has been very vocal about his desire to be a starting point guard in the league, a wish that may land him elsewhere if the offer presents itself to earn a starting job.
The last time Chicago had a healthy point guard who was a deep threat and a facilitator, they found themselves atop the East during the 2021-22' All-Star break with a leading MVP and Coach of the Year candidate to show for it. Can inking a legitimate floor general bring back hope around the Windy City? With hardly any cap space, little future draft capital, underwhelming recent draft selections, and aging talent, this might be a last-ditch effort that will have everyone in the building on the hot seat.
Bulls nation, how do we feel about bringing back Nikola Vucevic for three more seasons? Comment below!
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