NBA: Atlanta Hawks at Chicago Bulls NBA: Atlanta Hawks at Chicago Bulls Nikola Vucevic Jan 15, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic (9) is contacted by Atlanta Hawks guard Keaton Wallace (2) during the second half at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

Chicago Bulls big man joined elite company on Friday

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Andy Jachim | Last updated Apr 4, 2025 11:31 PM ET

The Chicago Bulls continue to play their best brand of basketball entering the month of April with their spot in the play-in tournament locked in. A slow start to the season had everyone across the league writing the team off and labeling them as sellers at the trade deadline. While the front office did move Zach LaVine to the Sacramento Kings in a three-team trade, they were unable to find a trade partner for big man Nikola Vucevic.

Vucevic has proven to be a great guy to keep around and has been a huge help for the team’s electric backcourt over the past month. The big man was a deadline acquisition during the 2020-21 season and has been a staple in the frontcourt ever since.

The former first-round draft pick of the Philadelphia 76ers back in 2011 put himself in elite company in Bulls history after Friday night’s victory against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Nikola Vucevic collected his 200th double-double for the Chicago Bulls

Vucevic’s 31 points and 12 rebounds against the Trail Blazers gave him his 200th double-double as a Bull, tying Scottie Pippen for the s econd-most in franchise history. Only big man Artis Gilmore has more than Pippen and Vucevic in his career. The former USC Trojan will certainly surpass Pippen before the regular season comes to a close and before the play-in tournament is in full swing.

Regardless of what Vucevic’s future holds in a Bulls uniform, him being with this company in the double-double department makes him a well-respected member of the franchise. Chicago didn’t get the playoff run they wanted with Vucevic and the rest of the core that they brought in ahead of the 2021-22 season, but there is still a way for him to leave a lasting impact on the organization. Whether it’s via a trade or helping the new young crop of guys on the roster, Vucevic certainly has value for the Bulls moving forward.

NBA: Chicago Bulls at Charlotte Hornets Dec 30, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic (9) looks to shoot as he is defended by Charlotte Hornets center Nick Richards (4) during the first half at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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