For the sake of their future, the Chicago Bulls should consider blowing up the roster, but it seems as though they plan on running things back. And if that’s the case, they need to put the right pieces around their core. But first, they need to focus on bringing all the important members of their team back.
Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu are both free agents, but more importantly, so is Nikola Vucevic. That is unless he and the Bulls ink an extension by the end of June. He’s widely expected to be back with the team, and according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the terms of the deal could be pricey.
During a recent NBA news dump, Scotto reported that executives around the league expect Vucevic to be back in Chicago on a three-year, roughly $65 million deal.
“The belief among various NBA executives who spoke with HoopsHype is that Nikola Vucevic, one of the top free agents on the market, will re-sign with the Chicago Bulls,” Scotto wrote. “Vucevic’s projected free agency value, according to those executives, is three years in the $65 million range.”
At that price, Vucevic will be making just under $22 million per season, which is about what he earns on his current contract.
Vucevic will turn 33 years old at the beginning of next season, but he’s coming off a year where he played in all 82 games. That reliability is crucial.
However, if the Bulls fail to put together a playoff-caliber team, that contract could be rough. Especially if Vucevic starts to regress.
