The Chicago Bulls' long-running pursuit of a Nikola Vucevic trade could soon receive a helping hand in the form of EuroBasket 2025.
The 34-year-old center will suit up for Montenegro in what will likely be his last international tournament, and if he has a strong showing, he would presumably become a more appealing target for other NBA teams.
Vucevic dominated one of two Montenegrin pre-tournament friendlies, finishing with a game-high 27 points and 10 rebounds in a win over Israel (which featured Portland Trail Blazers ascending star Deni Avdija) before putting up a nine-point, four-assist clunker in a loss to Alperen Sengun and Turkey.
More performances like the former in one of European basketball's biggest tournaments will put Vucevic back on the radar in The League.
Nikola Vucevic could become a more appealing trade target at EuroBasket 2025
The 14-year NBA veteran will have the chance to fire out of the blocks quickly as Montenegro faces Franz Wagner, Denis Schroder and Germany on Aug. 27. Next comes Jonas Valanciunas and Lithuania, followed by Finland and scalding-hot forward and former Bull Lauri Markkanen.
Games against Sweden and Great Britain round out the group stage.
That difficult slate will give Vucevic the perfect opportunity to show he can keep up with some of the best players in the world and is one of the biggest NBA stars to watch at this year's tournament, according to Brian Windhorst, Tim Bontemps and Tim McMahon of ESPN.
Windhorst states the obvious -- Vucevic is a prime candidate to be traded at some point during this season. Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report and The Stein Line substack mentioned that possibility earlier this month with the caveat that, if no deal is consummated by the trade deadline, the Bulls and their long-time starting center could part ways via buyout.
Vucevic is still a productive player. He continued to prove his status as a walking double-double last season, averaging 18.5 points and 10.1 rebounds while posting career highs in field goal percentage (53.0) and 3-point percentage (40.2). It marked the seventh consecutive year that the two-time all-star averaged a double-double.
Vooch was linked to the Warriors throughout the 2024-25 season, but it appears Golden State will eventually sign Al Horford. The Los Angeles Lakers make sense as a fit, although LA made its center splash this offseason by signing Deandre Ayton.
There's no reason a contender shouldn't be willing to part with a second-round pick or two for Vucevic before February. The Bulls were reportedly holding out for a first-rounder and couldn't find a taker last season, but given he'll be 35 and on an expiring contract, Chicago's price should, presumably, drop this winter.