Chicago Bulls trade Nikola Vucevic to the LA Clippers
Chicago Bulls receive
P.J. Tucker ($11 million/ 1 year)
Amir Coffey ($3.9 million/1 year)
Russell Westbrook ($4 million/ 1 year)
Los Angeles Clippers receive
Nikola Vucevic ($20 Million/ 2 year)
The Raptors and Bulls make sense on many different levels. However, trying to find a second trade partner for Vucevic is extremely difficult. There are practically no teams that have the cap space or type of players with expiring contracts that would make sense for both sides. The Los Angeles Clippers are a team that has not declared the direction they are heading. Losing Paul George feels like they might want to enter the tank sweepstakes, but the signing of James Harden, Derrick Jones and Nic Batum suggests they will try to compete with a hopefully healthy Kawhi Leonard.
Why the Clippers would do this trade
Harden and Lenoard both have two years left on their deals, which would coincide with Vucevic's contract. He also provides extra depth on their frontline and an insurance policy if they are unable to re-sign Ivan Zubac at the end of the year.
Why the Bulls would do this trade
P.J. Tucker is a salary cap filler in this trade and would be placed on waivers. Amir Coffey will be a roster filler for the Bulls this year before he hits free agency. Overall, the Bulls will save $20 million on the cap for the 2025-26 season.
Ideally, Russell Westbrook would be traded for a flyer on a younger player or a couple 2nd round picks. There seems to be interest from teams like the Nuggets for Westbrook, but they do not have a lot of trade pieces that would make sense to even match the modest $4 million salary. The Utah Jazz possibly could be a facilitator in a potential Westbrook three team swap.
The Chicago Bulls could just keep Nikola Vucevic...for now
Chicago could be patient and see if a market develops. Maybe a contender has an injury and makes a panic trade where the Bulls are able to acquire more assets,. This would be a gamble. If a trade did not materialize, the Bulls would be in a position to have to waive Vucevic at the end of the season and just eat the money for the 2025-26 season.
Much like the LaVine situation, the Bulls may have to eat an unfavorable deal to get Vucevic's contract off their books, but the question is whether there are even bad deals for them to take.