The report points to the Chicago Bulls' trade for Nikola Vucevic as a move that 'backfired'

Hindsight is 20-20.

© Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports

Despite all the brainpower that NBA teams employ in their front offices, not all trades and signings will work out as planned. The Chicago Bulls are finding that out the hard way. A recent report from Bleacher Report pointed to the Bulls’ trade for All-Star center Nikola Vucevic as a move that has “backfired” on them.

The trade, which was made in March of 2021, sent Wendell Carter Jr., Otto Porter Jr., and two first-round draft picks to the Orlando Magic in exchange for Vucevic and Al-Farouq Aminu. One of those draft picks became All-Rookie Team member Franz Wagner.

At the time, the trade was seen as a win-now move for the Bulls, who were looking to make a playoff push with their new star big man. However, things have yet to go according to plan, as the Bulls only have one postseason appearance and an uncertain future to show for the ill-fated transaction.

Precious draft picks

NBA draft picks are precious in that these are young players with the potential to become stars in the league. In recent years, teams have increasingly valued their draft picks, using them as assets for future trades or developing young talent within their organization. Giving up two first-round picks was considered risky for the Bulls.

Additionally, the fact that one of those picks turned out to be Franz Wagner only adds salt to the wound. Wagner is widely considered one of the league’s fast-rising stars and has shown immense potential on both ends of the court.

“Forking over two first-rounders for Vucevic seemed like a miscalculation in the moment, both in terms of inbound player value and the Bulls' place inside the league's hierarchy. It turns out the move was much worse than that,” Dan Favale wrote.

“A case can be made that Vucevic, while solid, currently ranks as the third best player in this deal, behind Wagner and WCJ. The latter's injury history makes this debatable.”

Vooch with the one-hand jam!@NBCSChicago | @NikolaVucevic pic.twitter.com/GyOMLWE3YL

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 14, 2024

Nothing to show for it

The trade was seen as an all-in move by the Bulls’ front office. However, it failed to yield the desired results as they were knocked out in the first round of the playoffs by the Milwaukee Bucks in 2022 and followed it up by not making the postseason in 2023.

“You can't give up WCJ and two lottery picks—Orlando drafted Jett Howard with Chicago's No. 11 selection in 2023—and then proceed to make one playoff appearance and bag a single postseason victory over the next four opportunities,” Favale continued.

“That's exactly what the Bulls are on pace to do when baking this season into the equation. They might back their way into the play-in tournament and maybe even earn an actual playoff cameo. To what end, though? A sweep at the hands of the Boston Celtics?”

Elite finish. pic.twitter.com/sDVM3xrRPP

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 16, 2024

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