Nikola Vucevic has been one of the primary names linked to trade rumors involving the Chicago Bulls. Unfortunately, a recent report by Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer revealed that the market for the big man had gone quiet.
He expanded on this during his appearance on Bleacher Report’s Insider Notebook, where he said:
“We’re probably more likely to see a Nikola Vucevic buyout mid-season than we are to see a trade… Depending on how the market unfolds, depending on how injuries develop. There just really hasn’t been much of a Nikola Vucevic trade market in a while.”
The notion of a talented big man like Vucevic not garnering interest from the trade market is surprising. Having averaged 18.5 points and 10.1 rebounds per game, while shooting 53.0% from the field and 40.2% from three-point range last season, the 34-year-old displayed tremendous versatility.
Considering he’s in the final year of a three-year, $60 million deal, with a cap hit of only $21.4 million this season, he could be a valuable acquisition.
The current outlook suggests that the big man will only be available in the market as a free agent after clearing waivers. In this regard, several teams could show an interest in signing him at a discounted price. We explore the top four landing spots for the 34-year-old heading into the season.
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat could be an interesting landing spot for the Bulls’ center. Given Miami’s reputation for being a consistent playoff team, the Heat and the big man could mutually benefit from this move.
Joining the Heat, the center would also be integrated into their rotation immediately. Placed in the team’s starting frontcourt alongside Bam Adebayo, Vucevic offers a significant offensive boost.
His extensive skill set allows him to be a traditional low-post presence or a floor-spacing big man, freeing up the Heat’s wings to exploit the pockets created by him.
The development of pieces like Kel’el Ware has made the Heat’s frontcourt rotation an extremely stable one. Adding a capable veteran like Vucevic could be vital in boosting their overall roster strength.
Intent on making a deep playoff run this season, Miami could significantly strengthen its rotation with this signing.
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are a team in dire need of big men this offseason. Having lost a key rotation player in Kevon Looney to free agency, the Warriors’ frontcourt depth has been stretched thin.
As things stand, the Dubs are in negotiations to sign Al Horford to shore up their big man rotation. But at 39 years old, the former NBA champion can only contribute so much. In this regard, should the Warriors succeed in completing their offseason deals, signing Vucevic midway through the season may not be the worst idea.
Vucevic offers a versatile skill set that may align well with the Warriors’ style of play. Although he is a traditional big man, the 34-year-old has displayed some capability of playing without the ball by setting solid screens.
As impressive as his floor-spacing ability is, the Dubs will benefit most from having a center who can shore up their rebounding efforts. Giving necessary support to Draymond Green in the frontcourt, Vucevic would be a solid addition to Golden State’s roster.
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics have been among the unluckiest teams this offseason, although their luck was inevitably a product of their actions.
Barring the injury sustained by Jayson Tatum, the Celtics have been under immense pressure to shed salary and get under the second apron. This has forced the team to part ways with many key players, effectively dismantling their championship roster.
As things stand, the Celtics’ big man rotation is quite depleted. To address this, Boston could consider a midseason signing like Vucevic to shore up its roster.
While the 34-year-old brings a lot of value with his ability to be a significant contributor, he would be a vital cog in helping Boston remain competitive next season.
With a significantly shorthanded roster, the Celtics are dependent on their backcourt players to carry the team. Adding Vucevic would primarily serve to bolster the starting lineup’s depth.
The benefits of this deal may pay dividends in the following season, once Tatum returns. With a healthy roster and a balanced rotation, Boston could be on the rise in the East again.
Detroit Pistons
If Vucevic is seeking a role on a potential contender, the Detroit Pistons could be an ideal landing spot. As constructed, the Pistons are poised to be a playoff team in the East, and with the addition of the Bulls’ big man, they could even be contenders.
The Pistons have a lot of talent across the board, with capable players in every position. While this presents a limited opportunity for Vucevic to establish himself as a starter, he could benefit from embracing a bench role.
Acting as backup for Jalen Duren, Vucevic would be crucial in providing points off the bench while fortifying their rebounding efforts. His ability to create shots for himself also becomes a relevant factor in this scenario, as he could be the focal point of the second unit’s offense.
The Pistons have playoff experience, but are still a young team. The addition of a veteran could be valuable in guiding the team and even helping them navigate the postseason.
Nikola Vucevic Might Remain With The Bulls
Given the silence in the trade market, there’s an increasing likelihood that Vucevic will remain with the Bulls next season. This isn’t a bad outcome for either party in question.
The Bulls have a talented young player in Matas Buzelis, who will become the centerpiece of their ongoing rebuild. With intentions of retaining Coby White as well, Chicago could have a fairly solid backcourt if it can make the right moves.
With Chicago, Vucevic would remain a key contributor to the team’s frontcourt. As their primary big man last season, the Bulls could still benefit from his production during the regular season.
