Golden State Warriors’ Trade Interest in Chicago Bulls’ Nikola Vučević Has ‘Cooled’

The Golden State Warriors’ trade interest in Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vučević has “cooled,” according to NBA reporter K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Sports Network.

The Warriors were interested in trading for Vučević last season before acquiring Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat.

Vučević is expected to begin next season with the Bulls.

“It was speculated that the Bulls could potentially be buying him out. And then that got aggregated that they’re going to be buying him out imminently. And that is not happening,” Johnson said. “I can tell you unequivocally that is not happening. Not only is Nikola Vučević coming off his best season as a Bull, but look, the Bulls would love to eventually turn his contract into some assets back.

“And I do think he will have trade value as we get closer to the February 2026 trade deadline. It was well-documented that the Bulls shopped him at the February 2025 trade deadline. They could not find common ground with any team. They had most substantive talks with the Warriors surrounding Nikola Vučević. I’ve been told that interest has cooled for the most part. So stay tuned on Vuc, but he will be back with the Bulls in training camp.”

Vučević has one year left on his contract. He will make $21.4 million next season. The Bulls acquired the veteran from the Orlando Magic in March 2021.

A two-time All-Star, Vučević averaged 18.5 points, 10.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists for Chicago last season in 73 games. He shot 53.0% from the field, 40.2% from beyond the arc and 80.5% from the free-throw line. The USC product recorded 45 double-doubles and one triple-double.

The Bulls missed the playoffs last season after losing the 9-10 play-in game at home against the Heat. Chicago has made the postseason only once (2022) since trading Butler to the Minnesota Timberwolves on draft night in 2016.

Vučević, who turns 35 in October, has career averages of 17.2 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists with the Magic and Bulls.