When the Chicago Bulls started their season 5-0, the idea of acquiring a veteran or two to assist with a potential playoff push wasn't completely absurd. Now that they're 9-13 and riding a six-game losing streak, their top trade deadline priority is wildly obvious (again): Trade Nikola Vucevic.
The organization finds itself in a hilariously familiar scenario. It's like having a recurring dream about Groundhog Day; every night, you're re-living the same day.
The Bulls are a mediocre team. They have some promising young players -- this year, that's Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis (sort of) -- but also plenty of reasons and assets to tank and officially kickstart a full-scale rebuild.
Yet there's no expectation they'll trade Coby White or Ayo Dosunmu, soon-to-be free agents who would add legitimate assets to a rebuild. It would be surprising if they even dealt away role players on expiring contracts like Kevin Huerter or Zach Collins, who could at least net a few second-round picks or a lottery-ticket prospect.
And, as has been the case for the last three seasons, the most obvious move is to trade Vucevic. But even the most obvious things don't often come to fruition with this front office.
The Chicago Bulls have every reason to finally trade Nikola Vucevic
Vucevic is 35 years old. He's playing in his 15th NBA campaign. He's appeared in 993 regular-season games and 16 playoff contests. He's on a $21.5 million expiring contract.
Despite his age, he's playing nearly 31 minutes per night and averaging 16.2 points, 9.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists with shooting splits of 49/39/79.
The two-time all-star is a productive veteran and excellent teammate who would willingly play a low-usage role and would give any acquiring team nearly $22 million in cap space this offseason. He may not be the most desirable asset on the market, but he undoubtedly has value.
And it's not hard to read between the lines: Vucevic is frustrated with this young Bulls team. Even after a dramatic win over the Washington Wizards in late November, when his more inexperienced teammates were celebrating, he was absolutely not in the mood.
Vooch called Bulls soft in walk-off. Afterward: “We just didn’t play up to NBA standards.”
— Joel Lorenzi (@JoelXLorenzi) November 23, 2025
Addressed the team postgame and said “I don’t think we understand that it’s just not sustainable to play this way.”
What’s most upsetting? “It’s things that we can really control.” pic.twitter.com/HIakVepBuZ
Vooch has done right by the Bulls, whether the team is winning or backing into the Play-In Tournament. Frankly, he deserves the opportunity to compete for a championship before his career comes to a close.
Chicago reportedly had a chance to move Vucevic for a few second-round picks at last year's deadline, but the front office stuck a first-round pick price tag on him, and a deal never materialized. He's a year older, but he's still a useful big man who can stretch the floor, clean the glass and be an efficient playmaker.
It's time for the two sides to part ways. The Bulls can get something of value rather than let him walk for nothing in the summer, and Vucevic can have a less depressing final chapter of his career.