Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic has been a fixture in the NBA for the past 13 years. As he approaches 34, Vucevic has enjoyed a productive career but recently hinted that his time in the league is winding down. In a recent interview with Milun Nesovic of Meridian Sport, Vucevic revealed his plans to continue playing for four more years, focusing on maintaining a high level of performance.
Vucevic expressed his intention to play out the remaining two years of his current contract with the Bulls and then extend his career for two more years. “I know that I’ve been in the NBA for 13 years, and the end isn’t far away. I don’t believe I’ll play another 13 years, but I have two more years with Chicago, and after that, I’d like to play two more. I think I can continue at a high level for that long, and after that, we’ll see. I’m not thinking much about it right now,” Vucevic said.
He currently has two years left on his three-year, $60 million deal with Chicago, but whether he stays with the Bulls after that is uncertain. Despite this, it’s evident Vucevic still has plenty to contribute and is eager to extend his career.
Last season, Vucevic averaged 18 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game, demonstrating his ongoing value as a dependable big man.
Over the offseason, the Bulls made several significant roster changes. They traded Alex Caruso to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Josh Giddey and saw Andre Drummond rejoin the Philadelphia 76ers. Most notably, the team parted ways with DeMar DeRozan, who was sent to the Sacramento Kings in a sign-and-trade deal. This led to speculation that Vucevic could be next in line for a trade as the Bulls shift toward a younger core.
Reports earlier in the summer suggested that if DeRozan left, Vucevic might be moved next, signaling a potential rebuild. However, with September approaching, Vucevic remains on the Bulls roster, making it unlikely that he’ll be traded before the season begins.
In summary, while Vucevic’s best years may be behind him, he remains a reliable and skilled player. Although another All-Star nod might be out of reach, he still has the talent to make an impact on a contending team.
