Best Nikola Vucevic Trade Destinations if Bulls Rebuild
These two teams could benefit from Vucevic’s services if the Bulls part ways with him.
The Chicago Bulls are determined to enhance their roster after failing to secure a playoff spot in 2024. In a bold move, Chicago acquired former Oklahoma City Thunder guard Josh Giddey in late June, trading away Alex Caruso. This indicated the Bulls’ shift towards younger talent. The next player they might trade is veteran center Nikola Vucevic, who could fill crucial roles for several teams, with the Thunder and Toronto Raptors being prime destinations.
Nikola Vucevic joined the Bulls in a trade in March 2021, which sent Wendell Carter Jr., Otto Porter Jr., and two first-round picks to the Orlando Magic. The 6’10” center was coming off his second career All-Star appearance, and fans expected him to elevate Chicago’s performance.
During his first half-season with the Bulls, Vucevic averaged 21.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, and shot 38.8 percent on three-pointers. By the start of the 2021-22 regular season, the Bulls anticipated Vucevic to be a significant contributor alongside new additions DeMar DeRozan and Lonzo Ball, and returning guard Zach LaVine.
Initially, Vucevic and his teammates performed well, propelling Chicago to the top of the Eastern Conference early in the 2021-22 season. However, after Lonzo Ball’s injury, the team’s performance declined. They made the playoffs as the sixth seed but lost to the Milwaukee Bucks in six games. Vucevic remained a reliable player, averaging close to 18.0 points and 11.0 rebounds for three consecutive years, but it wasn’t enough to lift the Bulls into postseason contention.
With the acquisition of Josh Giddey and the drafting of Matas Buzelis in the summer of 2024, the Bulls might be more open to trading Nikola Vucevic. The Thunder could be a top destination for the veteran center.
Why the Thunder Could Snag Vucevic from the Bulls
Oklahoma City had an impressive 2023-24 season, finishing with a 57-25 record and entering the playoffs as the Western Conference’s first seed. They advanced past the first round but were defeated by the Dallas Mavericks in the conference semifinals. Despite the setback, OKC’s youthful roster shows significant potential, making Nikola Vucevic an attractive addition.
The Thunder have rising star Chet Holmgren, a highly effective two-way stretch player poised to be their future center. Acquiring Vucevic would allow OKC to move Holmgren to power forward, maintaining strong frontcourt shooting and enabling Holmgren to focus more on rim protection. Additionally, Vucevic, at 33, would bring valuable experience to the young team.
Raptors Can Benefit Greatly from Vucevic
Toronto’s current starting center, Jakob Poeltl, averaged 11.1 points and 8.6 rebounds during the 2023-24 season, providing solid paint presence. However, trading for Nikola Vucevic would offer the Raptors improved scoring and rebounding.
Vucevic averaged approximately seven more points and two more rebounds per game than Poeltl last season. Toronto, aiming to build around its young talent, would benefit from Vucevic’s professionalism and experience in the locker room, aiding the development of their emerging players.
As the 2024 NBA free agency period begins, it will be interesting to see how the Bulls handle Vucevic. Fans and analysts suspect that Chicago is moving towards a youth-oriented rebuild, likely marking the end of Vucevic’s time with the team. If the Bulls trade him, the Thunder and Raptors are likely to value his contributions highly.
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