The Chicago Bulls are reportedly nearing a buyout with two-time All-Star Nikola Vucevic, although one insider urged fans to pump the brakes; he thinks a trade is more likely.
As the Chicago Bulls try to rebuild around their recently assembled young core, veteran center Nikola Vucevic is the odd man out.
Last season, he averaged 18.5 points per game, the most in a full season in the Windy City, and shot a career-best 40.2% from 3-point range. However, the Bulls were unable to trade him.
Teams like the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers were the most obvious landing spots, but with only one season left on his contract and interest around the league dwindling, signs point to the Bulls having to agree to a buyout with their star.
Vucevic is a talented, offensive-minded center. While he has defensive limitations, the Bulls are expected to find a deal before he gets bought out this season.
Just because Vucevic wasn’t traded last season doesn’t mean that the Bulls won’t be able to find suitors this season.
Players get injured, offenses falter, and as the playoffs approach, adding a solid rebounder who can space the floor suddenly becomes a necessity.
“It was speculated that the Bulls could potentially be buying him out, and then that got aggregated that they’re gonna be buying him out imminently, and that is not happening,” said insider KC Johnson. “I can tell you unequivocally that is not happening.”
For now, his value has never been lower despite a successful individual season. The Lakers added Deandre Ayton, the Warriors are honing in on Al Horford, and even fringe contenders like the Atlanta Hawks, San Antonio Spurs, and Milwaukee Bucks have added to their frontcourt.
Still, a lot can change between now and February.
“I do think he will have trade value as we get closer to the February 2026 trade deadline,” Johnson predicted. “It was well-documented that the Bulls shopped him at the February 2025 trade deadline… if you’re not able to find the trade package between now and February, perhaps the Bulls will entertain some buyout talks then.”
While a buyout is very much a possibility, the Bulls are not conducting themselves with the urgency originally reported.
Vucevic is in the last year of his contract. After averaging an efficient double-double, he will certainly get NBA offers next summer in free agency, although his defensive limitations will prevent him from ever being near a max player again.
Last season, it was reported that the Bulls were asking for only two second-round picks, although that rumor was met with scrutiny, and the asking price was likely much higher.
With time to flip him running out, the Bulls will have the first half of the season to establish his value, but as soon as a halfway good offer comes along, they can’t afford to wait.
Vucevic will be a one-year rental to a team with playoff hopes, and his scoring acumen should be enough to help in the postseason, although he will not be a long-term piece, and the Bulls won’t have their pick of offers.
