Nikola Vucevic Wants To Remain With Bulls After This Season: ‘I Feel Comfortable Here’

During an interview with NBA reporter Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times, Nikola Vucevic said he wants to remain with the Chicago Bulls past this season. 

Vucevic signed a three-year, $60 million extension with the Bulls last June. 

“When I sign a deal, I like to stay committed to that,” Vucevic said. “You never know what’s going to happen with this team. They have a lot of decisions to make this summer. That will be on them to decide what happens. Who knows, they could trade me, as well. You never know. But I’m not really thinking about those things.

“When the summer happens, then you focus on that. There’s a lot of uncertainty with this team and a lot of questions that need to be answered, guys that need to be dealt with, but we’ll see after that. As far as me personally, I signed a contract, I feel comfortable here, and I feel like there’s room to improve, and I want to be a part of it.”

Vucevic is averaging 17.8 points, 10.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists this season while shooting 47.4% from the field, 27.6% from beyond the arc and 83.5% from the free-throw line. 

The Bulls are 30-32. They are in ninth place in the Eastern Conference standings.

With Zach LaVine out, Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu have taken their games to another level and Vucevic has enjoyed watching the two NBA youngsters shine. 

“I’ve really been enjoying watching it, especially for Coby and Ayo,” Vucevic said. “Coby has been here for longer than I’ve been here, and that first year when Zach was out, Coby and I played really well together, and he’s a guy I have a lot of respect for. He brings it every day; he’s a competitor. He works his butt off every day before practice, really committed. Same for Ayo. He came in the second round, got his chance and has really taken advantage of it.”

The Bulls acquired Vucevic from the Orlando Magic in March 2021. Vucevic is averaging 18.1 points and 11.0 rebounds since getting traded to Chicago.