As the Chicago Bulls prepare for training camp, there is a strong sense of uncertainty around Nikola Vucevic's future in the Windy City. The veteran center, who has been the subject of constant trade rumors, recently spoke candidly about his situation.
With the Bulls staring at a monumental rebuild, the important question arises: will Vucevic continue playing his basketball in Chicago, or is he set to be traded?
Vucevic is entering the second year of a three-year, $60 million deal with the Bulls. The 33-year-old's presence might have a negative impact on the Bulls' long-term plans though.
Right now, the Bulls are neither good enough to contend nor bad enough to tank. No man's land is the last place you want to be in the NBA though.
Having seen the Bulls part ways with DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso this summer, it is quite clear what direction the franchise want to go in. Is Vucevic a part of that vision?
Vucevic openly discussed the circulating trade rumors recently. According to Josh Buckhalter on Heavy , the Chicago Bulls veteran told The Stein Line’s Marc Stein in an interview published on September 5: "I’m used to it at this point.
"Since I’ve been with the Bulls, I’ve been in a lot of trade stories, especially last summer as well throughout last season. So it’s just part of it. Like I said before, if things were going well and we’re winning and everything was great, that wouldn’t be the case. But because things weren’t going that well, we weren’t winning and we weren’t achieving our goals, then obviously change is bound to happen.
"I know it’s a pretty basic answer, but you don’t have much control over it, so you kind of just wait and see. If they decide to change and trade me, it’s on them to do. Just like a year and a half ago I was a free agent and I could have chosen to go elsewhere. It’s just the way this business works and so now we’ll see. Maybe we’ll play well and everything is great. It’s kind of a wait-and-see game."
If the Bulls choose to trade Vucevic, they would be fully embracing a rebuild. The team is already in a state of transition, having seen key players like Caruso and DeRozan leave this summer. Two-time All-Star, Zach LaVine, is another player with an uncertain future.
Nevertheless, the demand for Vucevic may not be high. At the age of 33, with a large contract and his game seemingly on the decline, it may prove difficult to find many interested parties in his signature.
Related: Toronto Raptors Urged to Trade for Chicago Bulls Star
Local Chicago, IL
Most Popular
Comments / 0