Nikola Vucevic is entering the final season of his 3-year $60 million contract with the Chicago Bulls. The two-time All-Star will become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
Chicago would likely entertain trade offers for the veteran center, should a team show genuine interest in acquiring him. Alternatively, the Bulls could potentially consider buying him out of the remainder of his contract if trade interest doesn’t materialize between now and the February 2026 trade deadline.
According to Los Angeles Lakers insider Anthony Irwin, the Purple and Gold are monitoring Vucevic’s situation. If the Bulls do decide to part ways with the veteran center via a buyout, a potential move to Lakerland could be on the horizon.
“This does leave a few interesting free agents still, not even including eventual buyout candidates like Chicago’s Nikola Vucevic,” Irwin reported via ClutchPoints. “As they did with Smart, the Lakers are closely monitoring that situation.”
Vucevic is coming off one of his best seasons in a Bulls’ jersey. It’s hard to envision the franchise buying him out of his current deal. However, if a trade doesn’t materialize, Chicago will lose the veteran for nothing sooner or later
Bulls Unlikely to Buy Out Vucevic
An anonymous NBA executive recently told Sean Deveney of Athlon Sports that Chicago won’t buy out Vucevic’s contract if a trade fails to materialize.
“They’re not looking to buy him out,” the executive said. “If there is one thing that has been consistent about Jerry Reinsdorf over 40 years–and he is the same with the White Sox (Reinsdorf also owns MLB’s South Side team in Chicago)–it is that he does not pay players or coaches to not play or coach for him.”
Vucevic played in 73 regular-season games for the Bulls last season. He averaged 18.5 points, 10.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists while shooting 53% from the field and 40.2% from 3-point range. His ability to impact games on both sides of the floor, control the glass and stretch the offense are all reasons why he will likely have a significant free agency market next summer.
Vucevic Could Head to Europe After Leaving Bulls
Regardless of whether the Bulls buy out Vucevic or he sees out the final year of his current deal, it would appear there will be European suitors for his skills once he becomes available.
Kevin Martorano of Sportando recently reported that at least two European teams are currently pursuing Vucevic.
“According to SportKlub, the situation is also being closely monitored by several European clubs, especially in the EuroLeague,” Martorano reported. “Vucevic is a well-known fan of Crvena Zvezda Belgrade, which could fuel dreams among the Serbian club’s supporters of landing a major signing…Additionally, Panathinaikos — currently searching for a center — could also be interested in the player, as well as other financially powerful European teams.”
Vucevic will undoubtedly have a range of options at his disposal when he does eventually become a free agent. However, after such a strong showing last season, the Bulls are highly unlikely to part ways with him this season, unless a viable trade offer arises. Still, you can never count out the Lakers as a potential draw, especially if Vucevic believes he can compete for a championship there.
Whether the Lakers’ interest would push him toward a buyout request is uncertain. But the Lakers’ interest will certainly be an interesting subplot to watch in the coming months.
