The Chicago Bulls have made the playoffs just once in the last six years, but they could be paying the luxury tax if they bring back all of their key pieces in free agency. Nikola Vucevic, Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, and Patrick Beverley all need new contracts to return as Chicago sits just 39.7 million under the tax. There is zero way they re-sign all four without paying next season.
Rumors suggest the Bulls will re-sign Vucevic in attempt to keep their core together, despite playing just five playoff games since building it. Is bringing him back a mistake? How can the Bulls get out of the middle and back to contention?
There is only one way to make that happen, and it involves a difficult path that would likely cost Arturas Karnisovas his job as executive vice president of basketball ops. The Bulls must make changes or they will be stuck in the middle for years.
Moves that get Chicago Bulls out of the mess they created
5. Sign-and-trade Vucevic to the highest bidder
Nikola Vucevic is a two-time All-Star that offers a unique skill set. He is an elite rebounder that can space the floor, score 18 every night, and make plays. The 6’10 big man will have value, and the Bulls should look to sign-and-trade him to the highest bidder.
They have made one playoff appearance in his three years in Chicago. It is time to move on and retool their roster. What can the Bulls get? They gave up two role players and two first-round picks to acquire him in 2021, but Chicago would have to settle for significantly less this summer. Could they get one first? Does someone step up with a couple of role players?
The Bulls should take what they can get and quickly pivot away from their current core by trading another former All-Star that will be searching for an extension this summer.