Is Nikola Vučević still the answer at center for the Chicago Bulls — or just an expensive placeholder? With fan frustration building and the team stuck in neutral, the front office faces a significant decision on his $21.4 million future.
What they do next could help define the Bulls’ direction for years to come.
Possibilities of the Bulls Trading Nikola Vučević
According to NBA insider Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, the Bulls are expected to actively shop Vučević during the 2025 offseason, specifically targeting the trade market before the start of the 2025-26 season.
The Bulls have reportedly set his trade value at a first-round pick. If no team meets that asking price, there’s a real chance he stays on the roster for the final year of his deal.
There are several reasons the two sides may not finalize a deal. While Vučević’s expiring $21.4 million contract may seem like an asset, he is 34 and has clear defensive limitations.
In a Bleacher Report article by Jake Fischer, one NBA general manager estimated Vučević’s trade value closer to two second-round picks, saying, “One GM told me he would put the two-time All-Star’s likely price point in a trade at two second-round picks.”
Vučević’s Contract and Role with the Bulls
Vučević signed a three-year, $60 million contract with the Bulls in June 2023. The deal is structured as follows: $18.5 million for 2023-24, $20 million for 2024-25, and $21.5 million for 2025-26.
His salary matches his consistent production. This season, he averaged 18.5 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 3.5 assists. He’s also a two-time All-Star, earning selections in 2019 and 2021.
If the Bulls keep him, they’ll retain a reliable double-double threat who can mentor younger players like Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis. But his salary tightens the team’s cap flexibility, and his fit in a faster-paced system is questionable. That makes keeping him more of a fallback than a clear long-term plan.
Chicago’s 39-43 record and another Play-In Tournament exit left fans frustrated with the lack of progress. The Bulls haven’t advanced past the first round of the NBA Playoffs since 2015.
If a Vučević trade yields minimal value or the team takes another step back, the front office may need to find a proven veteran with similar production to ease fan concerns and maintain steady ticket sales.
For now, the odds of a trade seem low. Unless a team meets Chicago’s asking price, the most likely outcome is that Vučević plays out the final year of his contract in a Bulls uniform.
