Bulls, Nikola Vucevic To Talk Contract Extension

The Bulls and center Nikola Vucevic are expected to discuss a contract extension once training camp begins, per Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times.

Vucevic is headed into the final year of his contract, in which he is set to earn $22 million. Both sides are aiming to stay together beyond the season, sources told Cowley.

While Vucevic is coming off a so-so season (for him), he has been an overall nice fit alongside the likes of Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Lonzo Ball and others as the Bulls made a return to the playoffs.

Chicago’s front office of head of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley are said to be big on the idea of continuity.

‘‘I do think we have the talent to match up with all the teams in the East,’’’ Vucevic said at the end of last season, via Cowley. ‘‘Nothing happens overnight; nothing happens in one season. It takes time. As a group, you have to go through the ups and downs of the year, the successes, the failures, whatever it is. All that gives you an opportunity to grow and get better. For us, I think that could really happen.”

Vucevic, 31, averaged 17.6 points and 11.0 rebounds last season. Not bad, but his worst numbers since 2019-20, when he was still with the Magic. But without a doubt, that’s likely because the Bulls have more talent around him and adding more people who can do more things.