It’s a little weird to talk about “what’s next” for a player who averaged 18 points and 10.5 rebounds a game last season and has two guaranteed years on his contract, but that’s where we are with Nikola Vucevic.
At age 34, he is not part of the Bulls’ rebuilding future, however, the team was unable to find a trade for him (or Zach LaVine) this summer. All of that leads to the “what’s next” questions for Vucevic, but he said in interviews surrounding Goran Dragic’s farewell game that he’d like to play another four years in the NBA and isn’t looking at a jump to Europe after this contract expires. . This is what Vucevic said, via Meridian Sports (hat tip True GM for the translation) and B92 (hat tip BasketNews).
“I’m aware that I’ve been in the NBA for 13 years now, that the end is not so far away. I don’t think I’ll play another 13 years, but I have two more years with Chicago, and I’d like to play two more after that… I think I can play at a high level for so long, and then I’ll see.”
“I would love to play in the NBA as long as possible. It is the best league, with the best players and conditions… At this moment, I am not thinking about returning to Europe. If it ever happens, Crvena. Zvezda would be the main favourite, but many things would have to fall into place.”
Vucevic is owed $41.5 million over the next two NBA seasons, which was part of the challenge. of trade him He puts up numbers but his efficiency declined last season (29.4% from 3, 54 true shooting percentage which was below the league average) and he is not an additional rim protector or defender. Vucevic blamed the step back on playing through injuries, plus trade rumors, which had the Bulls as a team out of balance. At a time when the value of NBA centers is decreasing, many teams are looking at Vucevic and think they can get enough production much cheaper than taking on his contract, which makes trading him difficult.
Could Vucevic get an NBA contract for a few years after his current one expires? Maybe, but it will be a steep pay cut (and probably a lot less running too, very different role). It depends on how Vucevic looks in the next two seasons, which depends in part on where he plays and in what system, as well as his health.
Vucevic enters the season on a Bulls team where the long-term plan remains unclear. If this team gets off to a solid start, will ownership and management be willing to hold it together in pursuit of a postseason berth, or will more changes come anyway?
There are many questions, but we know that Vucevic is not ready to give up on the NBA just yet.
