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Nikola Vucevic expected to re-sign with the Chicago Bulls for three years and $65 million
The Chicago Bulls’ offseason is full of numerous questions that have no answers yet. When will Lonzo Ball return, if at all? Who will be the team’s starting point guard next season? Another pressing question for the team is the status of starting center Nikola Vucevic, who’s set to become an unrestricted free agent.
However, according to a report by HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, there’s a widespread belief amongst league executives that the versatile big man will return to the Bulls on a three-year deal.
$65 million dollar man
League executives project that Vucevic’s new deal would fetch him around $65 million. The Bulls cannot afford to lose the 32-year-old, for whom they surrendered much of their future potential in a blockbuster deal with the Orlando Magic in 2021.
“The belief among various NBA executives who spoke with HoopsHype is that Nikola Vucevic, one of the top free agents on the market, will re-sign with the Chicago Bulls. Vucevic’s projected free agency value, according to those executives, is three years in the $65 million range,” wrote Scotto.
“After trading draft picks that ultimately became Wendell Carter Jr., Franz Wagner, and an upcoming 2023 first-round pick, letting Vucevic walk in free agency would be tough from an optics perspective for Chicago,” Scotto continued.
Keen on returning
Vucevic admitted he struggled with adjusting to playing alongside high-volume and high-usage players like DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine. However, this season, he said he finally found his groove and averaged 17.6 points on 52 percent shooting to go with 11 rebounds and 3.2 assists.
At the trade deadline, the team’s executive vice president Arturas Karnisovas said he wanted to have Vucevic back after this season, and it appears that wish will become a reality in the near future.
When told of Karnisovas’ desire to re-sign him, Vooch commented: “It’s nice to hear that the front office has confidence in you and believes in you. We’ll see what happens when the time comes to discuss a new contract. I feel good here. I’m in a good place.”
