Trade Proposal Sends Bulls’ Nikola Vucevic To Grizzlies

Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Grizzlies and Bulls:

The Trade: Luke Kennard, Derrick Rose and a 2027 lottery-protected first-round pick for Nikola Vučević

Vucevic appeared in 76 games for the Bulls this season. He averaged 18.0 points, 10.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists while shooting 48.4% from the field, 29.4% from beyond the arc and 82.2% from the free-throw line. 

A two-time All-Star, Vucevic will make $20 million next season. 

The Bulls and Grizzlies missed the playoffs this year. Chicago went 39-43, while Memphis finished 27-55. 

“Jaren Jackson Jr. got a chance to spread his wings a bit as both a 5 and as a more heavily featured scoring option this season, but not having Steven Adams around to take on the more bruising aspects of the position affected the team defense,” Bailey wrote. “The Grizzlies were outside the top 10 in points allowed per 100 possessions and in the bottom 10 for defensive rebounding percentage. And Jackson grabbed just 5.5 boards per game.

“Vučević isn’t the brute Adams is as a defender and rebounder, but he would spare Jackson some punishment inside, could take on heftier defensive assignments and allow JJJ to return to his more natural defensive position of rover.”

Vucevic has career averages of 17.1 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists with the Orlando Magic and Bulls. He turns 34 in October. 

The Grizzlies are expected to compete for the championship next season since Ja Morant and Desmond Bane will be healthy. If Bailey’s trade proposal happened, Memphis could start Morant, Marcus Smart, Bane, Jackson Jr. and Vucevic. 

Morant only played nine games this season due to a suspension and a shoulder injury that required surgery. The Grizzlies were last in the NBA in points per game. They will be more explosive offensively next season with Morant back in the fold.