Bulls predict 31-year-old center Vucevic will renew contract

2022-08-07 13:10

Bulls predict 31-year-old center Vucevic will renew contract


The Chicago Bulls' contract extension work with next season's core lineup in the offseason is nearing completion, as the Bulls have re-signed guard Zach LaVine, Alex Caruso, 33-year-old DeMar After DeRozan and guard Lonzo Ball, the 20-year-old forward will also get a contract extension and take a place in next season's lineup.


However, there is a veteran - Nikola Vucevic is rumored to be likely to be removed from the Bulls' core lineup next season, because he currently has the last year of his contract with the Bulls, and the Bulls The team's contract renewal offer has not yet been confirmed. According to sources, the Bulls want to keep the veteran, and the two sides are expected to have preliminary discussions on a contract extension at the beginning of fall training camp.


The 31-year-old Vucevic spent 11 years in the league. He was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 16th overall pick in the first round in 2011. After a short season with the 76ers, he joined the Orlando Magic and joined the Orlando Magic. Spent 9 seasons, made 2 All-Star selections during that period, and was traded to the Bulls for the 2020-2021 season. Vucevic averaged 15.6 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.9 blocks and 0.8 steals per game in 89 regular season and playoff games for the Bulls last season. He shot 31.4 percent from 3-point range and 47.3 percent from the field.


The veteran center can use the pick-and-roll ability on the court to help his teammates create offensive space and header opportunities. On the offensive end, he can also grab rebounds and score points with his 2.11-meter size advantage. However, Vucevic's performance on the defensive end was not good. He could not effectively block opponents in the penalty area, and he was also slow in defensive movement speed, which did not meet the required conditions on the defensive end. Therefore, the veteran was on the defensive end last season. in trouble. This is likely to be the reason why the Bulls have yet to offer Vucevic an offer for a contract extension so far in the offseason, which has led to speculation about whether Vucevic will leave the Bulls.


Vucevic's contract is a four-year, $100 million contract signed with the Magic in 2019. Last season, he had a salary of $22 million. Next season will be the last year of the contract. If the contract is not renewed with the Bulls after the end of the contract, Vucevic will enter the free agency market after the end of next season.


However, according to sources, Bulls coach Billy Donovan believes that Vucevic is suitable as a player in the lineup who can play on both ends of the floor. Both sides appear to be interested in continuing the partnership after Vucevic's contract ends next season, and the Bulls are expected to discuss a contract extension with the veteran center during training camp. If Vucevic can improve his outside shooting and defensive end, it is predicted that the Bulls will provide the veteran with a two-year contract extension of up to $40 million.