Apr 7, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic (9) controls the ball in front of Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) during the second quarter at KIA Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports

'Sometimes You Need to be Patient' – Chicago Bulls Star Makes Front Office Plea to Fans Ahead of 2025-26 Season

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Aug 29, 2025 1:08 PM ET

The Chicago Bulls are in a bizarre situation. They have an intriguing young core in Coby White, Matas Buzelis, and Josh Giddey. However, the team has yet to resolve Giddey’s restricted free agency situation.

Nikola Vucevic remains one of the team’s lone veterans after numerous trade rumors for several years, and the Chicago Bulls center recently defended VP of Basketball Operations Arturas Karnisovas from the fans’ backlash.

“When he first got there, I thought he made some very good moves—signing Lonzo, Caruso, Vucevic, and DeMar. I thought it was a very good team; it just did not work out. After that, sometimes it is hard to figure out what to do next. We had a lot of injuries and other challenges, but overall, I think he has done a good job,” Vucevic told Lukas Katilius of BasketNews.

Jan 19, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic (9) drives to the basket during the first half against Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton (2) at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

“Now they have decided to go with slightly younger players, and they did a good job in the draft as well. I think it is understandable that fans want results right away, but sometimes you need to be patient. Overall, I think he has done some pretty good things,” he added.

Chicago Bulls News: Nikola Vucevic wanted teammate to play in the 2025 FIBA EuroBasket

Nikola Vucevic requested Matas Buzelis to represent Lithuania in the ongoing FIBA EuroBasket, as he believed it would help the Chicago Bulls youngster’s development.

Mar 22, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) attempts to block against Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

“I was trying to convince him to play,” Vucevic said. “I thought it would have been really good for him to get some FIBA basketball experience, to play in EuroBasket, and to practice against all the other players from Lithuania every day. It would have been great for him.”

“I think it would have helped him a lot, and it would also have been valuable just to play in big games. Obviously, Lithuania is going to try to compete for a medal—that is their goal—so for him, it would have been huge. But he decided not to play this summer. Hopefully, he will play in the future,” he added.