According to NBA reporter K.C. Johnson, Nikola Vucevic is expected to remain with the Chicago Bulls past the trade deadline.
The Bulls had Vucevic trades fall apart on Tuesday. The big man was linked to the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers.
As for latest Bulls trade chatter, everything is fluid but the optimism for more moves that surfaced Monday dried up some on Tuesday. Nikola Vucevic is now prepared to be here past deadline as Warriors have shifted attention to bigger targets, including Kevin Durant.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) February 5, 2025
Vucevic is averaging 19.9 points, 10.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists this season while shooting 55.1% from the field, 40.1% from beyond the arc and 82.2% from the free-throw line. He’s making $20 million.
A two-time All-Star, Vucevic has played for the Orlando Magic and Bulls. He has career averages of 17.2 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists.
The Bulls are in 10th place in the East. They traded Zach LaVine to the Sacramento Kings and acquired Kevin Huerter and Zach Collins.
In other Bulls news, NBA insider Michael Scotto of HoopsHype is reporting that Lonzo Ball is drawing interest from the Memphis Grizzlies, Detroit Pistons and Minnesota Timberwolves.
“Ball has received trade interest from several teams, including the Memphis Grizzlies, Detroit Pistons, Minnesota Timberwolves, and others, league sources told HoopsHype,” Scotto wrote. “Some teams are also monitoring whether Ball could hit the buyout market.”
The Bulls haven’t won a playoff series since 2015 when Derrick Rose, Jimmy Butler and Pau Gasol were on the team. They haven’t reached the NBA Finals since 1998 when NBA icons Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman and Phil Jackson were leading the way.
Chicago did the right thing by trading LaVine. They need to trade all of their veterans and play their younger players. It would be a huge mistake if Vucevic wasn’t traded.
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