Bulls Rumors: Nikola Vučević Expected to Sign New Contract in 3-Year, $65M Range

One of the best big men set to hit the open market this year, the current expectation among several league executives is that Nikola Vučević will re-sign with the Chicago Bulls on a deal in the range of 3-years, $65 million, according to HoopHype's Michael Scotto.

Vučević, 32, was the Bulls' big acquisition at the trade deadline a couple years ago in 2021 from the Orlando Magic but hasn't had the desired impact. Chicago has missed the playoffs two out of the three years that the two-time All-Star has been in the Windy City.

But considering how much they gave up in the deal and Vučević's still strong production, it makes perfect sense for the Bulls to bring him back. Chicago traded away Wendell Carter Jr., Otto Porter and two first-round picks when they acquired him.

That trade has proven to be much more for fruitful for the Magic as Carter has blossomed into an exciting young talent, averaging a career-high 15.2 points per game to go along with 8.7 rebounds this past season.

And one of those two picks resulted in Franz Wagner, arguably the best player on Orlando's roster. The latter of the two selections will come this year with the No. 11 pick in Thursday's draft.

So, the Bulls would be wise to try and retain the biggest asset that they got out of the entire deal even if it doesn't look like the franchise will be ready to contend anytime soon.

Chicago has kind of been in no man's land the past couple of seasons, refusing to go into a rebuild while having a middling, aging squad anchored by Vučević, Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan.

With LaVine still in the middle of a long-term contract and DeRozan having over $28 million guaranteed next season before becoming a free agent in 2024, it looks like the Bulls plan on running it back, with the exception of a trade to kick off a potential reset.

Along with Brook Lopez, Vučević is expected to be among the highest coveted big men in free agency. He is coming off a season in which he averaged 17.6 points per game to go along with 11 rebounds on 52 percent shooting from the field and 34.9 percent from three-point range.