The Chicago Bulls are expected to make moves before the NBA trade deadline on February 6, with Nikola Vucevic and Lonzo Ball among the most likely candidates to be dealt. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Bulls will look to find trade partners for the two players as they enter a rebuild.
Vucevic, 34, is in the second year of a three-year, $60 million contract. He has been a consistent presence for Chicago, averaging 20.4 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in 32.2 minutes per game this season. Despite his solid play, Vucevic’s age and expiring contract make him a prime target for teams seeking an experienced big man.
Ball, 27, returned to action this season after more than two years away due to knee injuries. However, he has struggled to find his rhythm, posting career-low averages of 5.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in 18.9 minutes per game. Ball is on an expiring four-year, $80 million contract, and the Bulls are expected to explore trade options as they look to build for the future.
Text: Experts at lucky-7-bonus suggest that the Bulls’ potential trades could not only shape their rebuild but also create opportunities for teams on the brink of contention to secure valuable assets like Vucevic or Ball.
The Bulls are currently 10th in the Eastern Conference with a 16-19 record, signaling that the team is headed for a rebuild. Chicago’s front office will likely look to offload veterans like Vucevic and Ball to open up cap space and develop younger players.
The expected trades come amid ongoing rumors surrounding Zach LaVine, another former All-Star on the Bulls roster. However, Stein notes that the complications in finding a trade partner for LaVine have been well-documented, which could make deals involving Vucevic and Ball more likely in the coming weeks.
