The Warriors should pony up to get Nikola Vucevic

Since JaVale McGee left the Golden State Warriors in 2018, the team has been short on quality depth at the center position. Since then, Steve Kerr has endured a steady stream of makeshift options but has consistently reverted to small-ball lineups. 

Over the past few weeks, the Warriors have been linked with a potential trade for Nikola Vucevic. The veteran big man is enjoying a borderline All-Star season for the Chicago Bulls. However, Marc Stein recently reported that the Bulls' asking price of a future first-round draft pick will likely keep the Warriors away from the negotiating table.

"The Bulls continue to seek a first-round pick in exchange for former All-Star center Nikola Vucevic, league sources say," Stein reported on Sunday. "The Warriors have been at the front of the line in terms of potential Vucevic suitors for weeks but, mired in a 10-20 funk that had them stuck at a lowly No. 11 in the West entering Monday's play, have to date been unwilling to surrender more than second-round draft capital."

Vucevic is an ideal addition to the Warriors rotation. He can stretch the floor (39.8 percent three-point shooter), control the glass (10.3 rpg) and provide an interior presence on both ends of the court. He plugs multiple gaps within the Warriors system. 

It's understandable that Mike Dunleavy Jr. is apprehensive about mortgaging the franchise's future. However, if the cost of acquiring Vucevic is a draft pick plus salary filler, that's a deal the Warriors should make. He could genuinely help them make a postseason push.

Vucevic has one more year left on his three-year $60 million deal. He will hit free agency in the summer of 2026. Assuming his production remains close to its current level, there's no reason to believe his tenure in the Bay Area would be short-lived. 

Golden State must show Stephen Curry they're committed to building a competitive roster around him. He deserves another run at a championship. Vucevic alone isn't going to make the Warriors a contender, but he'd get them closer than they are now. Perhaps floating two second-round picks plus filler could get the deal done. No matter what, the Warriors won't find a better fitting big than Vucevic for such a reasonable trade cost.