As the NBA enters its dead period, rumors have swurred around Nikola Vucevic regarding his potential buyout, but the Chicago Bulls have firmly denied any plans for such a move, emphasizing that a trade remains the preferred option for the veteran player. These clarifications came in response to recent comments from sports insiders that some sources misinterpreted as an imminent buyout rather than a trade scenario.
The confusion began following Jake Fischer’s remarks on a Bleacher Report livestream, where he suggested that a buyout for Vucevic might be more likely than a trade in the upcoming season. However, K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network quickly countered those speculations, reaffirming that the Bulls have no current intentions to buy out the veteran center. This position aligns with the franchise’s typical approach, as they usually avoid buyouts and prefer to find trade partners for their players.
Given the Bulls’ front office confidence and past precedents, it seems the team will remain patient and aim to execute a trade, rather than prematurely opting for a buyout on Nikola Vucevic as they manage their roster for the season ahead.
Ayo Dosunmu’s Strong Ties to Chicago Inspire Annual Block Party
Meanwhile, Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu recently hosted his fourth annual Block Party, continuing his summer tradition of providing a safe and fun environment for Chicago children to play basketball outdoors. This year’s event took place at Union Park, near the United Center, attracting around 200 local kids. Dosunmu has made it a point to bring the block party to a different Chicago neighborhood each year, reflecting his deep connection to the entire city.
“What people don’t know about me, being from Chicago, is I literally hit all areas. From South Side, East Side, West Side, the Low End – a lot of different areas of Chicago,”
Dosunmu explained to Bulls dot com.
“So, it’s only right that I touch each and every neighborhood in Chicago because that’s a part of me.”
Several Bulls teammates joined Dosunmu to support the event, including Matas Buzelis and Patrick Williams, who have been frequently seen alongside Dosunmu during the summer. The Chicago Tribune’s Julia Poe covered the festivities and spoke with Dosunmu about his ongoing commitment to the city and his recovery from surgery, providing further insight into his off-court contributions.
“I don’t think God makes mistakes.” Caught up with Ayo Dosunmu at his annual block party to talk about surgery recovery, training abroad, next steps with his Bulls teammates and his commitment to Chicago. —Julia Poe, Reporter
Matas Buzelis Shares Unexpected Football Fandom at Soccer Event
Buzelis, one of the Bulls’ promising young players, was also active this week beyond basketball. He attended the Premier League Summer Series event at Soldier Field, where he revealed an unexpected allegiance during an interview with Sky Sports. Despite his basketball career, Buzelis admitted a fondness for the Liverpool football club, surprising some of the broadcasting team and fans watching the interview.
“I don’t know why I’m just a fan of Liverpool.” —Matas Buzelis, Chicago Bulls Player
This lighthearted moment highlighted Buzelis’s personality off the court, complementing the Bulls’ emerging youth movement around players like Dosunmu and Buzelis himself.
Looking Ahead: Bulls’ Roster Plans and Community Engagement
The Bulls’ cautious stance regarding Nikola Vucevic’s contract situation suggests they will continue to explore trade options rather than rushing into a buyout, maintaining a balanced approach to managing veteran talent. As the team moves forward, the organization also remains focused on nurturing young talent and strengthening ties within the Chicago community, as evidenced by Dosunmu’s block party and player involvement in local events.
Meanwhile, coverage of other Chicago sports, including the Cubs’ MLB trade deadline activity and updates on Bears player Jaylen Johnson, show a city deeply engaged in multiple professional teams’ offseason developments. Fans can expect ongoing updates as these stories evolve and the Bulls work to finalize their roster before the new season begins.