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Chicago Bulls fumbled the bag on Nikola Vucevic trade talks: Report

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Jordan Sigler | Last updated Feb 5, 2025 9:08 AM ET

The Chicago Bulls need to do everything in their power to trade Nikola Vucevic following the trade that sent Zach LaVine to the Sacramento Kings on Sunday night. The Bulls have no use for the two-time All-Star as the team begins to rebuild.

Chicago has several other pieces they should explore trading before Thursday’s deadline. Lonzo Ball, Patrick Williams, and Coby White could find new places to play.

The Chicago Bulls missed on two chances for a trade

Per Joe Cowley with the Chicago Sun-Times, executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas watched as two deals for Vucevic fell through on Tuesday. There is now a legitimate fear that Chicago could be stuck with the 34-year-old center through the summer.

“According to multiple sources, Karnisovas had two deals for center Nikola Vucevic fall apart Tuesday, forcing the front office into a complete reset that might result in Vucevic staying with the Bulls for the rest of the season, then being shopped during the summer,” Cowley wrote.

“One of the sources stressed the situation remained fluid. But as of game time Tuesday against the Heat, there was no momentum for a deal to be done and no new talks with another team.”

Nikola Vucevic isn’t a hot commodity

Vucevic has been with the Bulls since he was acquired in a trade from the Orlando Magic in 2021. The No. 16 pick by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2011 is averaging 19.7 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game this season.

Offense has never been the issue for the USC Trojans standout. However, his defense has been a liability in Chicago. Poor defense, along with his age, makes any trade for the Swiss native a difficult task for the Bulls’ front office.

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

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