The Chicago Bulls have remained somewhat quiet over the 2025 NBA offseason. They have yet to sign restricted free agent Josh Giddey to a new deal, and have yet to decide on the future of Nikola Vucevic.
Throughout the summer, Vucevic has been rumored to either be traded or bought out of his contract with the Bulls. Potential landing spots have been named teams like the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors, but most recently, Vuvevic gave a telling update about his future.
“The Bulls GM (Marc Eversley), who contacted me after all the rumors about me, confirmed that none of it was true and that everything we said after the season was still relevant. I knew that, but it’s always nice when your GM contacts you to tell you,” Vucevic said in an interview with BasketUSA about his future in Chicago. “Yes, I have almost no doubt about it (staying with the Bulls). That’s the mindset I’m preparing with. Afterwards, we’ll see, I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
Vucevic is on the last year of a three-year, $60 million deal he signed with the Bulls in 2023. His status as the oldest player on Chicago’s roster, and his conflicting timeline with players like Giddey, Coby White, and Matas Buzelis has led to rumors about his uncertain future with the team.
Vucevic On Rumors And Future
Though there has been speculation on Vucevic’s future for months, the center said he didn’t pay much attention to the various reports.
“There are always rumors. Most of them are false. It’s a bit of nonsense. For example, the buyout rumor was misinterpreted in Europe: the journalist wrote that if there was no trade during the season, there might be a buyout option before the deadline,” Vucevic added. “I know how business works: in the last year of a contract, there’s always speculation. Since I can’t control anything, I try not to worry.”
Vucevic has been one of the most consistent players in the NBA, averaging at least 17 points and ten rebounds in his four and a half years with the Bulls. He is one of only six current players who have averaged those numbers for their entire careers, on a list featuring stars like Nikola Jokic, Anthony Davis, and Joel Embiid.
Though at 35 years old, Vucevic also commented on his future in the league. He said, while he might stay with the Bulls to start the year, it doesn’t mean he’ll finish his career in Chicago. With the mismatched timeline and the Bulls expecting to focus on their young stars, he might look for other title-contending opportunities.
“I’d like to try to play for a team that has ambitions to win the NBA title. In Europe, it’s easier to join a big team, but in the NBA, it’s complicated because of the rules and trades,” Vucevic said. Maybe not this season (with Chicago), because we’ll be a young team. But you never know, teams’ ambitions change quickly from year to year, depending on injuries and transfers.”
Praising Chicago’s Young Stars
Vuvecic’s future remains slightly murky with the Bulls, but he did take the time to praise his younger teammates, players Chicago expects to put in elevated roles this coming season.
“Josh had a great season. He was very motivated after leaving OKC and he adapted well to our style of play. It even helped him be even better,” he said on Giddey. “I like playing with him because he’s a point guard who passes, is good in pick and rolls, and sees things that many don’t. As a center, it helped me get a lot of easy baskets.”
Giddey and the Bulls are still under contract negotiations nearly two months into the NBA offseason. He reportedly wants a deal worth $30 million annually, but Chicago is hoping for something closer to the $20 million per year range. No contract has been signed yet, and Giddey is still a top remaining restricted free agent.
Vucevic also discussed Buzelis, Chicago’s 11th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. In his rookie season, Buzelis made the All-Rookie second team and showed signs of growth over the year.
“Regarding Matas, he’s a great talent. I think he’ll have a great career in the league,” Vucevic said. “He’s young, but he’s already shown he belongs in the NBA. He has a lot of self-confidence, but that’s a personality trait I like. Because when you’re young, you have to believe in yourself. But that’s not arrogance. He’s realistic: he knows what he can do. He’s a player I really like.”
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