Why the Chicago Bulls Must Trade Nikola Vucevic This Offseason — And the Perfect Deal to Make It Happen
The Chicago Bulls find themselves at a crossroads. Another underwhelming season has exposed the flaws in their roster construction, and it’s clear the current core isn’t equipped to contend in the East. While the front office has remained loyal to its trio of DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Nikola Vucevic, that loyalty has produced little more than mediocrity. It’s time for change — and moving Vucevic should be priority number one this offseason.
Why Vucevic Must Go
Vucevic is a skilled offensive big man, no doubt. His ability to stretch the floor and post up gives him value — but not on a team that lacks defensive identity and struggles with spacing. At 33 years old, Vooch is no longer a defensive anchor, and his foot speed is a liability against faster, switch-heavy lineups. On a rebuilding or retooling squad like the Bulls, his skill set is a mismatch.
Worse yet, his presence clogs the offensive flow. With DeRozan and LaVine already thriving in the mid-range, adding another volume scorer who needs touches in the same areas creates overlap rather than synergy. The Bulls need rim protection, athleticism, and long-term assets — not a high-usage center on the back nine of his career.
The Perfect Trade: Vucevic to the Mavericks
A smart move would be trading Vucevic to the Dallas Mavericks. Dallas has Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving — two elite creators who thrive when paired with pick-and-pop or pick-and-roll bigs. Vucevic could thrive in that role, spacing the floor and punishing switches. Meanwhile, the Mavericks are thin in frontcourt depth, and Vooch’s offensive prowess would take pressure off Luka.
In return, Chicago should target young center Dereck Lively II and expiring contracts like Dwight Powell. Lively, an energetic rim-runner with upside, would give Chicago a defensive presence they sorely lack. He fits the timeline of a soft rebuild and offers a different dynamic than Vucevic — athleticism, shot blocking, and rebounding without demanding touches.
What This Means for the Bulls
Swapping Vucevic for Lively and financial flexibility won’t make headlines like a blockbuster deal, but it would be a smart basketball move. It helps the Bulls commit to a new identity, clears the paint for slashers, and opens up development minutes for younger players. More importantly, it sends a message: the front office is ready to stop running it back and start building the future.
This offseason should be about direction, not desperation. The Bulls have flirted with mediocrity long enough. Trading Vucevic won’t solve every issue overnight, but it’s the first step toward a team with purpose. And if they can pull off a smart move like this, it might just signal the beginning of something better.
