Chicago Bulls May Part Ways with 14-Year NBA Veteran Nikola Vucevic
Nikola Vucevic, a key player for the Chicago Bulls, could be heading for a buyout, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer.
The 14-year NBA veteran had another solid season for the Bulls, averaging 18.5 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 3.5 assists while shooting 53.0% from the field and 40.2% from beyond the arc in 73 games.
Despite his consistent production, Vucevic has been the subject of trade rumors in recent years. Fischer (via Bleacher Report, h/t Yahoo Sports) reports that a buyout is now more likely than a trade for the two-time NBA All-Star.
“There hasn’t been much of a market for Nikola Vucevic all along… At this point, we’re probably more likely to see a Vucevic buyout mid-season than a trade,” Fischer shared.
Vucevic was drafted 16th overall in the 2011 NBA Draft out of USC and has also played for the Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers. Over his career, he’s averaged 17.2 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 972 games, shooting 49.7% from the field and 34.8% from three-point range.
In fact, Vucevic joins an elite group of players to average 17+ points and 10+ rebounds over their career, alongside legends like Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, and Shaquille O’Neal.
The Bulls finished the 2024-25 season as the 10th seed in the Eastern Conference with a 39-43 record, missing the playoffs for the third consecutive year after losing to the Miami Heat in the play-in tournament.
Notably, Vucevic was one of just five players to average 18+ points and 10+ rebounds on a true shooting percentage of 60% or higher last season, joining Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, Domantas Sabonis, and Karl-Anthony Towns.
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