Over the past couple of years, the Chicago Bulls have been rumored to be a team that might be ready to start from scratch, and their recent attempt to become a title contender with Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan has fallen short.
LaVine and DeRozan have been mentioned in trade rumors constantly over the past two years, with the consensus being that one or both of these star players would be moved at some point.
However, the team never seemed to dangle center Nikola Vucevic as trade bait, which led to speculation about his future as he approached NBA free agency this summer.
That speculation about Vucevic’s future can be put to rest with Shams Charania of The Athletic reporting that the team is nearing a three-year deal with the veteran big man.
The Chicago Bulls and center Nikola Vucevic are nearing a three-year, $60 million contract extension, league sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. pic.twitter.com/xYo9vF0Gk1
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 28, 2023
Vucevic was the biggest name on the team heading for free agency during this offseason and was expected to draw some interest around the league if he hit the open market.
The Bulls valued him enough to keep him in the fold for a bit longer at $20 million per season, which is a reasonable price for a talented center with his skill set.
With the Bulls moving forward with Vucevic, the attention turns to the rest of the roster and what Chicago may intend to do with LaVine, DeRozan, and Alex Caruso.
LaVine is under contract for the next four seasons with a player option in the fourth year of his deal worth $48.9 million, while DeRozan has one year left on his deal at $28.6 million, which makes him an attractive trade candidate.
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