The Chicago Bulls made an impact move to kick off the NBA trade deadline when they agreed to a deal for Orlando Magic big man Nikola Vucevic Thursday morning. It was the first real surprise of the day but certainly not the last. Now that the dust has settled, it’s time to take a deeper look at what Vucevic brings to this Bulls team.
Before that, it must be noted that the Bulls also filled the hole at the backup center spot by acquiring Daniel Theis in a late deal to beat the trade deadline timer. That combination on the depth chart at center erases a major weakness this team has had all season, although other holes were unable to be filled before the deadline passed.
Specifically, the team didn’t address the point guard position and didn’t find a trade partner for Lauri Markkanen. That doesn’t mean they didn’t get significantly better as a team, though. There’s no doubt the addition of Vucevic makes them a much better team today and for the rest of the season.
He brings a lot to the Bulls and will be an impact player from day one. Three specific things are noteworthy to highlight in terms of what he will bring to the team, though, and that’s what we’re going to do.
Chicago Bulls: 3 Things Nikola Vucevic brings to the team
A reliable offensive threat next to Zach LaVine
First and most obvious, the Chicago Bulls get a second reliable offensive threat by adding Vucevic to the team. Instead of asking inconsistent scorers like Coby White and to an extent Lauri Markkanen to step up offensively to win games the Bulls now have a luxury they did not have before the trade. That luxury is an elite scoring option beyond LaVine.
Vucevic is a great shooter that can score from any level on the court. The Bulls almost never went to the post prior to this trade and much of that likely had to do with the players they had. Wendell Carter Jr. saw under two post-up opportunities per game per NBA.com, a number that led the Bulls. Initially, that’s surprising because of the low number, but it makes sense that head coach Billy Donovan would stay away from offensive possessions that don’t play to the team’s strengths.
Fortunately for the Bulls that now changes. While the modern game may be moving away from post opportunities it remains a simple and effective way for skilled big men to get high-quality shot attempts. That’s why fans can expect to see more possessions go to the post now that Vucevic is on the team.
He has seen the third most post-up opportunities per game this season in the entire NBA. His 5.6 post-ups trails only Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid. There is a reason for that high rate and that reason is it works.
The Bulls have hung around in the eastern conference despite having little ability to come across easy offensive possessions. Their new big man is going to make everyone’s lives a lot easier and help the efficiency of the offense from top to bottom.
Chicago Bulls: 3 Things Nikola Vucevic brings to the team
A rebounding presence
This is another exciting thing that Nikola Vucevic brings to the Chicago Bulls from day one – a presence on the glass. That may sound like an overreaction, calling this exciting in the same way his offensive skill set is, but the Bulls lack of consistent glass cleaners all season makes this one true.
While Lauri Markkanen is still in town and his rebounding issues are likely to continue, at least the Bulls have someone they can count on to rebound the ball now in their new starting center. The small ball starting five that featured Markkanen and Thaddeus Young was never going to clean the glass and departed big men Wendell Carter Jr. and Daniel Gafford weren’t making their presence known in that department all season.
Vucevic comes in averaging 11.8 rebounds on the season. If that number remains in the double digits it will be his third straight season averaging 10+ rebounds per game. That is the kind of big man this Bulls team needs and has lacked. Instead of seeing a new rebounding leader every night in the box score, the Bulls are able to count on someone to eat up a chunk of rebounds every single time they take the court.
The days of getting bullied on the glass by every team’s big men are no longer. Sure, it will still happen, especially with Markkanen’s fear of doing the dirty work. It won’t happen every single night, night after night though, and that is a major improvement for this team.
Chicago Bulls: 3 Things Nikola Vucevic brings to the team
An understanding of expectations
A potential surprise here but this is one that a lot of fans are excited for. Naturally, the players are excited as well and rightfully so. Up until this move, it was fair for any and every Bulls player to question the true plan for this team. Arturas Karnisovas had barely changed the roster since taking over and things were trending in the wrong direction of late.
Well, those questions are long gone now. The Bulls aggressive approach to the deadline and willingness to trade a young former lottery pick in addition to multiple future first-round picks assures everyone in the organization what the expectations are for the Chicago Bulls.
A message was sent and there’s no doubt the message was received. It not only will help ease the room when things get rough but also creates a sense of urgency on the practice floor and within the group in general. The Bulls front office made it known to the world they believe this group is capable of winning a lot more games than they have been so far this season and now the players will look to prove the organization right.
There is no fallback option of having a lottery pick if things don’t go right this year. It’s about winning games right now and earning a playoff spot in the eastern conference. Additionally, when the offseason rolls around it once again is about the current group of players and the team being confident they will grow as a unit heading into next year.
The Bulls cleared up any questions about what their plan is under new management and the players are well aware of the expectations. Living up to those expectations will be a fun ride behind the deadly 1-2 punch of Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic.