The offseason is finally here. After seven tumultuous months, attention will be shifted toward the NBA Draft, free agency, and an unofficial trade season for all but 16 teams. Nonetheless, as time moves on, more and more teams will join the 14 squads in partaking in the joyous offseason festivities.
The Chicago Bulls are one of the (lucky?) 14 teams with a jumpstart on the offseason. The next most important date is May 12, the NBA Draft Lottery, where Chicago's draft fate is decided. The Bulls currently sit in 13th in draft order with a 5.7 percent chance of landing in the top four and a 1.2 percent chance of landing Duke's Cooper Flagg.
However, before we get ahead of ourselves, it's worth mentioning the Bulls are free to begin exploring trades. The trade market typically doesn't materialize until after the conclusion of the NBA Finals, but the late June date doesn't stop teams from engaging in trade talks.
The Bulls have slowly but surely purged aging talent
Last offseason began with a much-maligned trade that sent two-time All-NBA Defender Alex Caruso to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Josh Giddey. The trade was heavily criticized at the time, several media outlets faulted the Bulls for failing to extract at least one draft pick from the draft capital-rich Thunder for a distressed asset. Almost a year later, sentiment has changed. Giddey proved his worth and displayed his vast potential, performing at a near-All-Star level post-trade deadline.
Chicago didn't stop after acquiring Giddey. Instead of re-signing aging former All-Star DeMar DeRozan, the Bulls initiated a sign-and-trade to send the 6-foot-7 guard to Sacramento in exchange for Chris Duarte and two future second-round picks. The Bulls resumed the roster turnover in February, shipping swingman Zach LaVine to the Kings in a three-team trade that returned Kevin Huerter, Zach Collins, Tre Jones, and a 2025 first-round pick that was originally theirs.
Leading up to the trade deadline, LaVine wasn't the only Bull on the trade block. Chicago shopped 34-year-old starting big man Nikola Vucevic for months. At one point, it felt as if sending Vucevic to the Golden State Warriors was a foregone conclusion. The Warriors were in the market for a center and expressed interest in increasing spacing. Thus, trading for the 40.2 percent three-point marksman made sense. Yet, Golden State entered the Jimmy Butler sweepstakes and traded for the disgruntled forward instead—a stellar move in hindsight.
Chicago ultimately retained its starting big man through the trade deadline. Vucevic struggled in the aftermath, averaging 14.8 points in February and 15.1 in March before a strong finish to his 14th campaign. All in all, Vooch's age-34 season should still be considered a success. He averaged a double-double for the seventh-straight season, and his 40.2 percent conversion rate from beyond the arc was a career-high.
Trading 34-year-old Vucevic is next on Chicago's agenda
Although Vucevic will turn 35 years old before next season begins, his trade value is likely higher this offseason than it was midseason. The reason has everything to do with the big man's contract. Vucevic only has a season remaining before he'll enter free agency in 2026. Furthermore, he's relatively inexpensive compared to the league's centers—he's slated to earn $20 million next year. The 6-foot-10 center is currently the 19th-highest paid at his position.
Trading for a 35-year-old who will earn $20 million is by no means a bargain, but with one season left on his pact, Vucevic is a terrific placeholder and a valuable asset in the right situation. Although the Chicago values Vooch's floor spacing and post-playmaking, he doesn't fit the timeline. Vucevic is the only Bull older than 30 on the eighth-youngest team in the association.
The Bulls are trending younger, especially after all three aforementioned trades. Billy Donovan's post-trade deadline starting five consisted of 22-year-old Giddey, 25-year-old Coby White, 26-year-old Kevin Huerter, 20-year-old Matas Buzelis, and Vucevic. Additionally, another insertion of youth is on the horizon. The Bulls will likely add a forward or center in June's draft.
After years of yearning for a Vucevic trade, the time has finally come. This offseason is as good a time as any. The big man is coming off arguably his best campaign as a Bull and only has a season left on his contract. Besides being the most opportune time to make the trade, it's concurrent with finding Vucevic's replacement and improving the roster via the draft and free agency.