Latest news with #NikolaVucevic
Time of India
6 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
NBA trade rumor: Chicago Bulls finally pull the trigger on trading Nikola Vucevic but face steep challenges
(Image Source - Getty Images) After four seasons of double-doubles and steady performance, the Chicago Bulls are ready to part with seasoned big Nikola Vucevic. The urgent issue is if the Bulls can receive a fair return or will they be left with a cheap deal since his 35th birthday is approaching and his contract ends in 2026? Bulls' trade value for Nikola Vucevic dwindles as age and defense concerns mount Nikola Vucevic has consistently delivered for the Chicago Bulls, averaging a double-double for eight straight seasons. Last year, he ranked in the top 10 in the NBA for rebounds per game and achieved the fourth-highest scoring average of his career. But at 35, his age and defensive shortcomings have raised questions about how well he fits on a championship-caliber team. The Bulls are said to be looking for a trade that could land them a promising player like Jonathan Kuminga, but so far, talks haven't resulted in a deal. With Vucevic's contract ending, some analysts think the Bulls might only get two second-round picks in exchange. Both teams are trying to bring in Vucevic. The Warriors made attempts to get him before the deadline, but things didn't work out. At the same time, the Lakers are interested and could be involved, with Rui Hachimura or Shake Milton being mentioned. Despite what has been reported, the Bulls appear to be struggling to close a trade that suits their needs. Because of his age and his weaknesses on defense, Vucevic's value could be limited for teams which might convince the Bulls to hold on to him for the time being. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The Chicago Bulls are currently going through a roster shake-up following the exits of DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine. Trading Vucevic is a key move in their plan to focus on younger players such as Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis. Still, the Bulls need to carefully handle the trade market to make sure they get good value for their veteran center. If a trade doesn't go through, the Bulls might decide to keep Vucevic for the next season, making him a possible trade asset by the 2026 deadline. On the other hand, they could look into different ways to boost his value, like using his expiring contract in upcoming trades. Also Read: NBA Bounce' set to release on September 26, 2025, bringing custom avatars and all 30 NBA team mascots Trading Nikola Vucevic is a major move in the rebuilding process for the Chicago Bulls. The veteran center's age and defensive problems have forced the club to look for alternatives, despite his constant strong play. In order to achieve a favorable conclusion that fits in with their long-term goals, the Bulls need to be strategic in their approach to trade discussions. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Forbes
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Why Nikola Vučević's Trade Value Could Be Unclear This Offseason
CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 16: Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat guards Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Chicago ... More Bulls during the first half of the 2025 SoFi Play-In Tournament on April 16, 2025 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) With the Chicago Bulls once again failing to make the actual playoffs, the organization is likely busy trying to map out its immediate future. One specific avenue of that future is whether or not Nikola Vučević should remain a part of it. There's no question that, despite his age, Vučević remains impactful. The 34-year-old is still very much capable of producing at a high level, as he finished the year averaging 18.5 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and sporting a true-shooting efficiency of 61.1%. Those are rock solid numbers, and while they're bumped up by Chicago's fast pace, there's a major case to be made that Vučević himself is far better in an offense built around speed, than usual half-court slugfests. At just over $21.4 million next season, the last year on his contract, a case could be made that Vučević would make for an interesting, and realistic, target for serveral contenders in need of more offense at the big position. But first, the Bulls will have to agree to move off of him, and that's not necessarily written in stone. Chicago has a history of hanging onto players for too long, and a reasonable argument can be made that Vučević is among that group already. That said, given he's just coming off one of the best years of his career, and the fact that he's actually fairly cheap when you consider the salary cap bump this summer, now might be the best time for Chicago to make the decision of trading him to someone with a higher chance of winning a championship. Identifying a return isn't straightforward. Vučević is a player with clear strengths, and clear weaknesses, some of which will have a portion of teams immediately write him off as a legitimate candidate. As such, the Bulls will need to boil down their list of potentially interested teams to those who don't mind his defensive shortcomings, and who'll live Vučević going through a three-week stretch every season where he looks like a bench player. The Lakers would prefer a vertical player at center, who can catch lobs and make plays near the rim, and play off both LeBron James and Luka Dončić, but what if their best option this summer is Vučević? The Raptors, who need both floor-spacing and depth at center, is also a team that shouldn't dismiss Vučević out of hand. Even the Atlanta Hawks, who are in need of size and consistent scoring at center, can't really afford to not inquire about him, if they wish to become more competitive next season. So, what could a price point be? From Chicago's side, it should be all about draft capital, except the organization has seemingly no interest in building through the draft. That means the next-best thing could be young veterans, who have available data points for Chicago to analyze, and ponder whether there's a fit or not. That, more than anything, seem like the most realistic path should Chicago end up exploring Vučević trades. Unless noted otherwise, all stats via PBPStats, Cleaning the Glass or Basketball-Reference. All salary information via Spotrac. All odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bulls Big Man Zach Collins Says Nikola Vucevic 'Could Be More Selfish'
The Chicago Bulls' offseason is already underway while the best NBA teams battle through the first round of the playoffs. That's a bitter pill to swallow, but there were a few bright spots during the season. One of them was Zach Collins, the 27-year-old center the Bulls acquired from the San Antonio Spurs when they traded Zach LaVine to the Sacramento Kings in a three-team deal that also netted the Bulls Kevin Huerter and Tre Jones. Collins was pressed into a starter's role for eight games following injuries to Jalen Smith and the Bulls' incumbent starter, Nikola Vucevic. In a recent interview with NBA Insider Brandon 'Scoop B' Robinson of Scoop B Radio, Collins talked about playing with Vooch, comparing him to Jusuf Nurkic, and how he believes his veteran teammate could be a little more selfish on the floor. Getty 'I played with [Jusuf] Nurkić in Portland and he was also a very skilled big man but more of a brute. But Vooch is more of a footwork-footwork-footwork-touch and plays below the rim, but he's very crafty and super smart. He could be more selfish than he is but he plays the right way and he's definitely unique.' Advertisement Quite honestly, I'm not sure how many Bulls fans would want to see Vucevic play more selfishly–especially on the defensive end where he often elects to give minimal effort and only seems to care about defensive rebounding. But that's another story altogether. Collins is on the books for just under $18 million for next season. He is set to be an unrestricted free agent to begin the 2026-27 NBA season. That makes Collins a potentially valuable expiring contract for a trade. I can see a scenario where Collins could be a valuable backup option on a strong team. The Bulls fell short in the NBA Play-In Tournament losing to the Miami Heat. Advertisement With the team now squarely in the draft lottery conversation, fans are already looking ahead. The Bulls have a slim 1.7% chance of winning the No. 1 pick, but securing any top-four selection could provide a much-needed infusion of talent. Whether it's a star in the making or a player who can anchor a larger trade package, the outcome of the lottery could directly impact Collins' future in Chicago. We'll see which direction the team's front office heads. I know Bulls fans, there probably isn't a ton of faith in that concept. Chicago's offseason promises to be one of the most scrutinized in recent years. While the front office has been notoriously slow to pivot from the current core, the combination of player contracts, aging stars, and a middling record may finally force real changes. Collins could be part of those plans, either as trade bait or as a cost-effective depth piece for a restructured roster. Related: Chicago Bulls Must Trade Nikola Vucevic in the Offseason, And This is the Perfect Move Related: Nike Dropped a Jordan 6 Rings Graphic Tee and It Goes With Almost Everything
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
2025 NBA Draft scouting report: Hansen Yang, C, Qingdao
For a two-round mock draft and a big board with full scouting reports, check out my . Height: 7-1 • Weight: 250 • Age: 19 Summary: Yang is a massive Chinese 7-footer who scores with old-school craft, passes well, and cleans the glass. But how much his slow feet and lack of shooting range can be improved will determine whether he can stick in the pros. Comparisons: Nikola Vucevic Post scoring: Yang has a deep bag in the post with smooth footwork, primary moves, and the feel to make counters. When he establishes deep post positioning he's hard to stop inside. This knack for scoring near the rim also translates to hitting layups off cuts and rolls. Passing: Great passing vision for a big man. He makes quick decisions and generally delivers accurate passes. His Chinese team would even run offense through him. He could offer value playmaking out of handoffs. Interior defense: He was an excellent rim protector and rebounder in China, using his massive frame to deter opponents and vacuum boards. He'll need to prove it can translate to NBA competition without falling into foul trouble, but the ability is there. Perimeter defense: Hasn't shown the ability to comfortably switch, even playing in China. He lacks the foot speed to do much more than play drop coverage. Interior defense: Not an elite shot-blocker despite his size due to a lack of great length or leaping ability. Plus, he needs to get quicker moving in tight spaces to react to fast-moving NBA athletes attacking the rim. Shooting: He made only 28% of his 3s, 29.2% of his 2-point jumpers, and 66.8% of his free throws. There's not much evidence he'll be able to shoot effectively. Mindset: He played in the CBA. The speed and athleticism of the NBA is just on a dramatically different level that will test him in ways he never has been before. This matters purely for experience reasons, but also because he too often didn't impose his will despite his physical advantages even at that level. The NBA will be an even greater challenge. For a two-round mock draft and a big board with full scouting reports, check out my .
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
BetMGM Bonus Code: Snag $150 Bonus Offer or $1.6K Deposit Match for NBA Play-In Tournament Games, Including Heat vs. Bulls
Register with the BetMGM bonus code and collect one of three sign-up offers for the NBA Play-In Tournament games this Wednesday. The two available matchups today are the Heat vs. Bulls game at 7:30 p.m. ET and the Mavericks vs. Kings game at 10 p.m. ET. Advertisement Here's a table that features all available BetMGM bonus code choices and the states they're available in. Use any of the sign-up links provided here and register with BetMGM Sportsbook today. BetMGM Bonus Code Offer States Available Sign-Up Link Bet $10 Get $150 in Bonus Bets if You Win CO, MI, NJ, PA, WV PGHOCKEY Get up to $1,500 Back in Bonus Bets if Your First Bet Doesn't Win AZ, CO, DC, IA, IL, IN, LA, KS, KY, MA, MD, MI, NC, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, and WY PGHOCKEY Get a 20% First Deposit Match up to $1,600 in Sports Bonus AZ, CO, DC, IA, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, MI, NC, NJ, PA, TN, WV, and WY. PGHOCKEY1600 BetMGM bonus code breakdown for NBA Play-In Tournament games Here's how each of the available BetMGM bonus code options works. Use your sign-up bonus now and place your first wager on the Heat vs. Bulls or Mavericks vs. Kings game. In CO, MI, NJ, PA, and WV, the BetMGM bonus code PGHOCKEY unlocks a $150 bet-and-get offer. This offer only nets $150 in bonus bets if your first bet of $10 or more wins. The BetMGM promo codesn't grant any bonus bets if your $10 first bet on the NBA Play-In Tournament or any other game loses. Advertisement The other offer you can get through the BetMGM bonus code PGHOCKEY is a $1,500 first bet promo. The workings of this offer are straightforward. Place your first bet on either of the two NBA Play-In Tournament games. If it loses, you get your stake back as bonus bets. The maximum amount of bonus bets you can get from this offer is $1,500. The BetMGM promo with the highest possible value comes from the BetMGM bonus code PGHOCKEY1600. This is a 20% deposit match offer, worth up to $1,600 in sports bonus. You must deposit $8,000 or more to get the full $1,600 in bonus funds. Utilize the sports bonus from this offer to make NBA bets on the Heat vs. Bulls game or the Mavericks vs. Kings game today. This offer has a 10x rollover restriction. This means you must bet 10x what you get in sports bonus before you can withdraw any winnings. Wager on the NBA Play-In Tournament with BetMGM bonus code PGHOCKEY The two offers from the BetMGM bonus code PGHOCKEY both interact with your first BetMGM Sportsbook bet. I go through how each of the offers works with my best bet below. Advertisement Let's say that you place a $100 bet on Bam Adebayo to get 25+ points (+250). I believe that the Miami Heat will go to the center frequently to try and expose the interior defense of Nikola Vucevic. Adebayo is averaging 18.1 points per game this year. If you make the $100 bet with the bet-and-get offer and win, you get $250 in winnings and keep your $100 stake. You also get $150 in bonus bets. If your bet loses, you don't receive any bonus bets. With the first bet offer, you also get $250 in profit and retain the $100 first bet stake if you win. You don't receive any bonus bets from this BetMGM promo if you win. If your first bet loses, you get $100 in bonus bets back from the BetMGM bonus code PGHOCKEY. How to sign up with BetMGM Sportsbook for NBA Play-In Tournament games Here are the steps to sign up with the BetMGM bonus code and make an initial wager on either the Heat vs. Bulls game or the Mavericks vs. Kings game: Advertisement Click here to register with BetMGM Sportsbook. Alternatively, use any of the available sign-up modules on this page. Enter all the necessary personal identifying information to create a new BetMGM Sportsbook account. Use one of the available BetMGM bonus code options during registration to claim a sign-up bonus. Deposit $10 or more into your BetMGM Sportsbook account. Place your first bet on any available sports betting market from the NBA Play-In Tournament. 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Offer available in CO, MI, NJ, PA, WV. Please Gamble Responsibly. Participant must complete the Wagering. Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. US Promotional Offers Not Available in MS, NY, ON, or PR. Visit for Terms & Conditions. 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. AZ, CO, DC, IA, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, MI, NC, NJ, PA, TN, WV, WY. Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA). 21+ to wager. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA). Participant must complete the Wagering Requirements and satisfy the (10x) playthrough requirement. Deposit Match unavailable in IL, LA, OH and VA. US Promotional Offers Not Available in MS, NY, ON, or PR. Visit for Terms & Conditions. Advertisement 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. AZ, CO, DC, IA, IL, IN, LA, KS, KY, MA, MD, MI, NC, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY. Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA). Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA). Participant must complete the Wagering. Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. US Promotional Offers Not Available in MS, NY, ON, or PR. Visit for Terms & Conditions. The post BetMGM Bonus Code: Snag $150 Bonus Offer or $1.6K Deposit Match for NBA Play-In Tournament Games, Including Heat vs. Bulls appeared first on Pittsburgh Hockey Now.
