An Unexpected Turn In Nikola Vucevic’s Trade Deadline Fate

Over the past two months, Chicago’s veteran center Nikola Vucevic has been one of the most commonly named players in trade talks. All of the signs point toward him being dealt away before the February 5th deadline. He’s 35, in the last year of his contract, and has said many times over the past year that he wants to spend the remainder of his career contending for an NBA title. With the Bulls seemingly making all the moves that signal a rebuild is imminent, he has no place on the roster. Although the evidence overwhelmingly hints at his departure, one report has recently suggested otherwise. What’s the alternate route, and how does it benefit him or the Bulls?

An Extension Is Not Out Of The Question

It feels like Vucevic’s fate depends on who Chicago’s future staff looks like. While the best option for the franchise’s future is for him to be shipped off to a playoff roster and gain some return before he leaves in unrestricted free agency, this recent report says that head coach Billy Donovan would vote otherwise.

Per @BrettSiegelNBA Vucevic could be resigned. He states Billy really values Vooch and would be open to bringing him back on a team friendly deal

The veteran big man is averaging 17/9/4 so far this season

Would you be opening to resigning Vooch? pic.twitter.com/nJrkbHM9d2

— Just Another Year Chicago: Bulls (@JAYChi_Bulls) January 16, 2026

No one can deny how much of a glue guy and consistent piece the man in the middle has been for the Bulls during his tenure with the organization. That being said, if the ultimate goal is to rebuild, which is what front office leader Arturas Karnisovas has leaned into over the last 12 months, he has to be traded. Donovan has consistently spoken highly of his veteran big man, so a potential extension makes sense from that front. However, if Vucevic’s career goal is to contend for a title, he’ll opt to sign elsewhere.

Breaking Down The Possibilities

It seems there are three paths that this franchise can take over the next four months. First, they can trade away Vucevic and other expiring contracts for future capital or draft stock. The fanbase strongly prefers this option and, given the current reports, is the most likely to occur.

Second, they will hold steady at the deadline, or make minimal moves, retain Vucevic until this summer, and offer him an extension. This route would mean he would have to sacrifice his goal of being a contributor to an NBA Finals run and likely take a pay cut. This would also mean that the Bulls, despite missing the playoffs for a fourth straight season, would have to retain Donovan and Karnisovas, as they are the ones vouching for the aging center.

The third route is that the Bulls retain Vucevic past the deadline, and either fire their head coach and front office as a result of yet another mediocre finish, or that he leaves in unrestricted free agency. This option may be the second-most likely, as it would mean either Chicago finally moves on from a leadership standpoint or Vucevic goes to chase his title, which he’s stated as a career goal.

Nikola Vucevic says he's at the stage of his career where he wants to "win now" and make deep playoff runs. pic.twitter.com/TEXc8P7Q9O

— Bulls on CHSN (@CHSN_Bulls) April 17, 2025

What happens with Nikola Vucevic at the trade deadline, and if he’s still around afterwards, does he stick around for the rest of his career?