The deal of Alex Caruso to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Josh Giddey was the Chicago Bulls’ first major offseason transaction, and it might not be their last.
Action Network’s Matt Moore speculates that Nikola Vucevic may be the next domino to fall.
According to Moore’s column, “there have been rumors in recent days that the Bulls are really planning on moving younger, with the perplexing trade of Alex Caruso for Josh Giddey with no picks attached as part of that design. I’m skeptical of this given the entire history of the franchise and their desire to constantly stay on a treadmill of mediocrity.”
It is well known that the Bulls are considering moving Nikola Vucevic in addition to the never-ending Zach LaVine drama. Caruso’s deal was a great lubricant for clubs wanting to take on such contracts, which is now unavailable, so the Caruso move both helps and harms those efforts, he continued.
Nikola Vucevic, who joined the Chicago Bulls in 2020–21 as a tradee, just finished his third full season with the team. With 48.4 percent shooting from the field this season, the two-time NBA All-Star averaged 18.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game.
After a quick start, the Chicago Bulls appeared to be headed for the Eastern Conference when Lonzo Ball, Nikola Vucevic, Zach LaVine, and DeMar DeRozan became the team’s nucleus in 2021. But they were troubled by their injuries, so it didn’t happen.
The Chicago Bulls might be headed for a rebuild because they just finished another dismal season with a 39-43 record, losing in the play-in round.
The Chicago Bulls selected Matas Buzelis from G League Ignite with the No. 11 choice in the 2024 NBA Draft. Giddey, Coby White, and Buzelis will probably be the team’s foundation going forward.
