Could Vooch be on the move?
After making a blockbuster deal in 2021 to acquire Nikola Vucevic from the Orlando Magic, the Chicago Bulls have not found the success they had hoped for when they brought in the European big man in the middle of his prime years.
As the Bulls appear to be shifting their focus to its younger core, including Coby White, Josh Giddey, and Matas Buzelis, one NBA writer believes Chicago could send the 34-year-old Vucevic out for another young guard.
Cal Durrett of Hoops Habit put together a simple proposal for the Bulls and one of their Eastern Conference rivals.
Chicago Bulls receive:
G Anfernee Simons
Boston Celtics receive:
C Nikola Vucevic
The Celtics would be able to fill their massive void at center. Durrett provided some rationale for why this would also make sense for the Bulls.
"Both players are on expiring contracts, and their salaries for next season are almost identical," Durrett pointed out. "That would make a straight-up swap for the two players much easier. While the Bulls don't have much depth at center behind Vucevic, they were still shopping him aggressively at last season's trade deadline.
"That suggests that they are fine with parting with him. They would still have Zach Collins, who played fairly well for them after being acquired from the San Antonio Spurs last season.
"Adding Simons would give them more scoring punch, presumably off the bench, with Simons being among the best high-volume 3-point shooters in the NBA. He will also be in a contract season and have all the incentive in the world to play well."
Simons is one of the best pure-scoring guards in the NBA, averaging 19.9 points per game over the last four seasons. He could serve as another young player to build around with a contract extension, or they could ship him off to a contender mid-season for future capital.
Category: Basketball
