Chicago Bulls’ Costly Error at the 2025 NBA Trade Deadline
The Chicago Bulls finally alleviated a major financial burden before the trade deadline by offloading Zach LaVine’s contract. LaVine, who spent eight seasons in Chicago, had been the face of the franchise.
However, despite shedding LaVine’s costly deal, they failed to trade the last remaining star from their former core, Nikola Vucevic, which further delays their rebuilding efforts. Ultimately, the Bulls’ biggest misstep at the 2025 NBA Trade Deadline was holding onto Vucevic.
Nikola Vucevic’s Impressive Season
There’s no denying that Vucevic is putting together an excellent season. He is producing All-Star-level stats, averaging 19.5 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game while shooting 54.6% from the field and 39.4% from three-point range. Given his performance, it was no surprise that he was a hot name in trade discussions. His talent and All-Star pedigree significantly boosted his trade value, making him a logical target for playoff contenders.
The Bulls had already parted ways with key players, sending DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso elsewhere in the offseason before eventually moving LaVine before the deadline. With those moves, many expected Vucevic to be next, officially jumpstarting the long-overdue rebuild. Instead, the Montenegrin center remains in Chicago post-deadline, prolonging the Bulls’ transition phase.
The closest team to acquiring Vucevic was the Golden State Warriors. However, negotiations broke down due to disagreements over trade terms, preventing a deal from happening. The Warriors seemed like a natural fit since they had young assets aligning with Chicago’s timeline, while Vucevic could have bolstered their championship aspirations.
Despite this, Vucevic is reportedly content staying in Chicago. That leaves the Bulls with an unresolved issue they must address in the offseason while hoping his trade value remains high.
Nikola Vucevic Doesn’t Fit Chicago’s Timeline
As previously mentioned, the Bulls signaled their intent to rebuild as early as the offseason. The front office acknowledged that their star-studded roster lacked the ability to contend seriously in the Eastern Conference, leading to repeated early playoff exits. With a clear shift toward rebuilding, it made sense to trade aging stars for younger assets or draft picks. However, keeping Vucevic past the deadline contradicts that strategy.
The Bulls did well in acquiring Josh Giddey for Caruso and securing second-round picks in exchange for DeRozan. Though the return for LaVine was underwhelming, moving his contract was a step in the right direction. Unlike LaVine’s massive deal, Vucevic’s more reasonable contract should have been easier to move, but the front office opted against making a deal.
At 34 years old, the 6-foot-10 center remains a productive All-Star-caliber player, consistently putting up double-doubles. His presence has kept the Bulls competitive in the Play-In Tournament race. However, for a team looking to enhance its draft position, retaining him doesn’t align with those goals. Trading Vucevic would have been mutually beneficial—allowing him to contribute to a contender while Chicago acquired future assets. By failing to finalize a deal, the Bulls have essentially wasted his talent on a team with limited postseason potential.
Chicago Bulls’ Unclear Direction
The Bulls find themselves at a crossroads. With Vucevic still on the roster, their ongoing dilemma persists. Chicago is strong enough to remain in the Play-In mix but also has the option to intentionally position itself for a higher draft pick. So far, the front office appears hesitant to fully commit to a rebuild.
Despite moving on from key players, they stopped short at Vucevic. After the deadline, Bulls general manager Arturas Karnisovas stated that securing a Play-In spot would be a significant achievement. As a result, their current record has likely cost them a chance at landing Cooper Flagg, a potential franchise cornerstone they’ve long sought. Adding to the uncertainty, the Bulls reinforced their stance by extending the injury-prone 27-year-old Lonzo Ball.
With management still clinging to playoff hopes, fans will have to wait longer for a new chapter in Chicago. As long as veteran players remain, the Bulls will continue to hover in basketball purgatory, neither true contenders nor fully committed to rebuilding.