The Chicago Bulls must determine the future of veteran center Nikola Vucevic, who enters the final year of his contract and will become an unrestricted free agent next summer. The Bulls are weighing whether to trade Vucevic now to acquire valuable assets or retain him through the season with the risk of losing him for no return in 2026. Most likely, Chicago will explore trade possibilities both during the offseason and leading up to the February 2026 trade deadline as they assess their options.
Charlotte Hornets Consider Vucevic as a Key Trade Target
Analysis by Ryan Stano of Hornets on SI suggests the Charlotte Hornets should prioritize acquiring Vucevic in a trade. Stano notes that Vucevic’s tenure with the Bulls has been marked by modest team success and play-in appearances, limiting his potential impact. The Hornets, aiming to build a competitive roster around stars LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, would benefit from Vucevic’s strong rebounding and three-point shooting ability.
One player the Hornets need to target in a trade is Nikola Vucevic,
Stano wrote.
Vucevic has been wasting away in Chicago for the last few seasons as the Bulls continue their perpetual playing of the play-in game. Vucevic fits the kind of team that the Hornets are trying to build. He’s an excellent rebounder and 3-point shooter, which is exactly the kind of player they need around LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller.
—Ryan Stano, Hornets on SI
Given the Hornets’ collection of trade assets, they could present a credible offer to the Bulls, although Chicago is expected to evaluate multiple trade routes before making any final decisions regarding Vucevic.
Bulls Prefer Retaining Vucevic Over Contract Buyout
An anonymous NBA executive recently shared insights with Sean Deveney of Athlon Sports indicating that the Bulls do not plan to buy out Vucevic’s contract should a trade fail to materialize. The executive highlighted a longstanding organizational philosophy under owner Jerry Reinsdorf, emphasizing paying players only while they are actively contributing.
They’re not looking to buy him out,
the executive explained.
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.
—Anonymous NBA Executive
Coming off a strong season, Vucevic is expected to remain an important part of head coach Billy Donovan’s plans for the upcoming campaign. Chicago appears comfortable carrying him on the roster despite the potential risk of him departing without compensation next summer.
European Interest in Vucevic Grows as His NBA Future Remains Uncertain
Reports from Kevin Martorano of Sportando reveal that multiple European clubs have shown interest in Vucevic, closely monitoring the situation ahead of his free agency. Among the interested teams are notable EuroLeague clubs, including Crvena Zvezda Belgrade, which holds significance given Vucevic’s fandom of the Serbian team.
According to SportKlub, the situation is also being closely monitored by several European clubs, especially in the EuroLeague,
Martorano noted.
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.
—Kevin Martorano, Sportando
While offers from European sides may become more frequent once Vucevic enters free agency, the veteran center remains a valuable asset for any contender in the NBA. Given his talent and experience, he may find it difficult to decline an opportunity to stay in the league at a competitive level.
The Outlook for Vucevic and the Bulls’ Trade Strategy
The Bulls are at a crossroads with Nikola Vucevic, balancing the prospects of leveraging his value in a trade against the possibility of retaining a proven contributor for the coming year. Meanwhile, the Charlotte Hornets have been urged to pursue Vucevic aggressively, as his skill set aligns with their building strategy. European interest adds another dimension to the market for the veteran center, potentially influencing his options as free agency approaches. How Chicago navigates these factors will shape their roster trajectory leading to the 2026 trade deadline and beyond.