NBA Trade Rumors: Bulls' Asking Price for LaVine, Vučević Deemed 'Too High' by Execs

The Chicago Bulls have a pair of coveted trade targets in veterans Zach LaVine and Nikola Vučević, but it sounds like teams around the NBA are discouraged about their chances of acquiring either one of them.

Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported on Monday that "multiple executives who've spoken to the Bulls say Chicago still has asking prices that are 'too high' for LaVine and Vučević, given their contracts."

Both LaVine and Vučević are signed through the 2025-26 season. LaVine is making $43 million this year and $46 million in 2025-26, and he also has a $48.9 million player option for the 2026-27 campaign. Vučević has $41.4 million remaining on his deal for the rest of this season and next year.

At 8-13, the Bulls sit in last place in the Central Division. LaVine leads the team with 22.0 points per game, while Vučević is right behind him with 20.9 points in addition to a team-best 10.0 rebounds. Both players are shooting over 50 percent from the field and over 40 percent from three-point range, so they would undoubtedly be difference-makers on teams hoping to contend for an NBA championship within the next two years.

However, Chicago has proven to be stubborn in recent years regarding its trade decisions. The team held onto combo guard Alex Caruso for multiple seasons despite him being one of the most coveted players at the trade deadline. The Bulls ultimately traded him to the Oklahoma City Thunder this past offseason in exchange for guard Josh Giddey.

At this point, it appears that the Bulls are in need of a rebuild, and the only way to fully commit to it is to trade away its stars to acquire future assets. However, the team will need to adjust its demands if it hopes to complete deals for LaVine and Vučević.