Bulls Should Cash In On Nikola Vučević Career-Year

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3 months ago

TORONTO, ON – JANUARY 18: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Chicago Bulls battles for a rebound with Thaddeus … [+] Young #21 of the Toronto Raptors during the first half of their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on January 18, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images)

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After years of inconsistent shooting efficiency, Bulls center Nikola Vučević is currently producing at an All-Star caliber level, having raised both his raw scoring, and his scoring efficiency, over the course of this season.

The 34-year-old is averaging 21.3 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists, all while connecting on a whopping 58.7% of his shots, compared to 48.4% last year.

Vučević’s three-point efficiency has also increased quite dramatically, climbing to 47.4% from 29.4% last season. One might believe he’s simply more careful with his shot-selection these days, which to some extent is true, but his volume hasn’t declined.

In fact, it’s gone up.

Last year, 25.8% of Vučević’s attempts came from long range, compared to 32.7% this year, with head coach Billy Donovan making it a point of emphasis for his center to launch them.

The timing of Vučević’s improvement might benefit Chicago a fair bit, although not necessarily on the court.

Having been viewed as overpaid in recent years, one can easily make the argument that Vučević’s current production makes him severely underpaid, of course with the acknowledgement that this is a 24-game sample size.

Even so, the Bulls should be very open to pivoting off the former All-Star center.

They made the mistake themselves of overpaying in the trade that acquired him in the first place, during the 2021 trade deadline. More than anyone, they should be motivated to get something in return to offset what they relinquished back then.

(The Bulls ultimately gave up Wendell Carter Jr, and the rights to both Franz Wagner and Jett Howard, for Vučević.)

This season, Vučević is earning an even $20 million, making his deal easily attainable for several teams who wish to strengthen their center position.

The Bulls are under the luxury tax threshold by more than $4.5 million, so they can offer Vučević to teams that have hefty payrolls, including those above the first and second aprons, as long as they’re willing to take on more money back.

Their luxury tax buffer, combined with the play of Vučević, should allow Chicago to actually attain a solid return, if they can negotiate well enough during trade talks with interested parties.

Moving off Vučević would also mean a more aggressive pivot towards the full rebuild, that the fan base has been clamoring for over the course of three years.

We’ll see what happens as this season’s trade deadline draws near, but the Bulls should be in the driver’s seat – assuming they want to be.

Unless noted otherwise, all stats via NBA.com, PBPStats, Cleaning the Glass or Basketball-Reference. All salary information via Spotrac. All odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.