The Bulls were able to move Zach LaVine before Thursday’s deadline but they’re having a tougher time dealing center Nikola Vucevic.
Citing multiple sources, the Chicago Sun Times’ Joe Cowley said that two separate deals involving Vucevic fell apart on Tuesday. One of Cowley’s sources stressed that the situation remains fluid.
Hoops Hype’s Michael Scotto reported earlier on Tuesday that the Lakers and Warriors are among Vucevic’s rumored suitors. It’s not certain whether the two deals the Bulls were trying to put together occurred with those two teams.
Vucevic isn’t the only player the Bulls are looking to move. They’re also fielding trade offers for Coby White and Lonzo Ball, among others. The players they acquired in the LaVine trade with Sacramento and San Antonio — Zach Collins, Tre Jones and Kevin Huerter — are being held out because one or more of them could be attached in a package if a bigger deal materializes, Cowley adds.
Despite the uncertainty, the Bulls defeated Miami, 133-124. on Tuesday. Vucevic, Ball and White were all in the starting lineup and played anywhere from 29 to 33 minutes.
Vucevic has one more year remaining on his contract. He’ll make $21.5MM next season. Ball has an expiring contract and White has one more year left on his deal.
Coach Billy Donovan acknowledged that a lot could happen before Thursday’s deadline. The franchise has grown weary of being stuck in mediocrity.
“You’ve got to be able to have a partner in that to make things happen,” Donovan said. “I still think there’s a long process in this quite honestly. You have a few more days left in this (trade deadline) period, you’re going to move into the draft, move into free agency in July, so there’s going to be windows to make these things happen. ’m all for doing what’s best for the organization. All the way from top to bottom everybody felt the same way. We’re kind of in the middle here and we had to make a shift and do something, and that’s been the goal to try and get that done.”
Steven Adams and Landale for Vooch.
Why would Houston want a 34 year old $20 million backup player?
Bulls got greedy in their negotiations no doubt. They sold low on LaVine and now want a good haul on the spare parts before an obvious rebuild. What a waste of time.
They needed to get rid of Lavine’s contract – that wasn’t a low sell, but rather a surprise they got his salary out of Chicago.
Vuc is on a nice contract that fits very well for anyone acquiring him.
Vucevic has an okay contract when his 3-ball is going in. It didn’t in January (27 3PT%, 57 TS%). Back at his usual levels of mediocrity.
He needs to be a plus offensive player, not a neutral one, because he’s a negative defender.
Bulls got greedy? Well I hope so. The idea with LaVine was to save money. Check. The idea with Vujevic is to get something good back. They don’t HAVE to move him. They can just run him out there the rest of the year and then summer or next trade deadline. He’s still an excellent player. I hope they’re not in a hurry. now isn’t the time to rush it. Wait for what you want. As for Ball I couldn’t even believe that dumb article about re signing him. Uhhhh No Thanks. Him just take what you can get. Move on. The big piece is gone. The rest just take your time.
Nothing to do with this, BUT
sure looks like KD is on the move. I guess the Warriors talks for Vooch may have gotten halted because Suns said let’s do this?
If the Warriors land KD we all owe Davey an apology. Clearly he’s thinking on a higher dimensional plain than we can even fathom.
KD, Lebron, and reanimated Bill Russell will end up on the Warriors and we’ll all be bowing down to Davey.
What makes you think that they have that much interest in KD? It would create to many holes. And, he rejected GSW once before. It is hard to see an actual fit.
Mmm that’s a tasty nothing burger supreme.