Bulls face Nikola Vucevic dilemma that will define the Josh Giddey Era

The Bulls have a critical decision to make this offseason: What is Nikola Vucevic's future in Chicago?

The four-year, $100 million contract the organization handed Josh Giddey last summer already looks like a wild bargain. But it was the decision Bulls Executive VP of Basketball Operations Arturas Karnisovas made not to trade Vucevic that's so far shaping the 2025-26 campaign.

Giddey is averaging a near triple-double (20.6 points, 9.9 rebounds, 9.6 assists) and is on track for his first all-star appearance.

Karnisovas made another move of massive value when he signed point guard Tre Jones to a three-year, $24 million deal. All Jones has done is start 11 games while Coby White was sidelined with a calf injury and average 12.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.0 steals.

But Vucevic has been a revelation -- and the reason the Bulls started the year 5-0 and are still floating above .500.

The Chicago Bulls must make an all-important Nikola Vucevic choice

Vucevic has always been a steady, reliable presence for Chicago since arriving in the Windy City during the 2020-21 season. He's averaged a double-double in each of his four seasons with the Bulls while playing 73, 82, 76 and 73 games, respectively, in each.

When he turned 35 in October, it was certainly fair to wonder if he would hold up physically, let alone continue to produce at such a high level.

Those questions can be put to bed. At least for now.

Vooch is averaging 15.9 points, 9.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists with shooting splits of 49/41/78. He leads the team in total rebounds and minutes played and is second in total points.

But most importantly, he’s earned the Bulls two crucial wins via two buzzer-beating triples.

On Nov. 4 against the Philadelphia 76ers, Vucevic hit a 3-pointer with 3.2 seconds left to give Chicago a 113-111 win in a game it had once trailed by 24. Giddey posted a triple-double, but it would have been for naught without Vucevic's heroics.

On Nov. 19, he drilled a three with no time left on the clock to save the Bulls from an epic collapse against the Portland Trail Blazers, a game in which they led by 21 points in the fourth quarter.

The Vucevic decision will massively impact Chicago's future

But the 15-year veteran clearly doesn't fit the Bulls' current timeline led by the 23-year-old Giddey, 21-year-old Matas Buzelis and a pair of 25-year-old guards in White and Ayo Dosunmu. He’s also an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season.

Those factors create a conundrum for Karnisovas: Should he trade Vucevic during the year while his value is high? Or hold onto him while the Bulls make a run for the playoffs and risk losing him for nothing? Or, perhaps, a controversial third option -- keep him and give him a brand new contract when he's about to turn 36.

It will be intriguing to watch what the organization does with a player who is so obviously vital but also comes with several significant asterisks.