CHICAGO (AP) — Nikola Vucevic, a two-time All-Star, and the Chicago Bulls reached a $60 million, three-year agreement on Wednesday, preventing him from hitting the free agent market.
Given that both Vucevic and senior vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas had stated a desire to close a deal, the move was scarcely surprising. For the first time in his career, the normally productive 6-foot-10 center participated in all 82 games and averaged 17.6 points and 11 rebounds, which were both the same as his numbers from the previous season.
In a statement, Vucevic said, “I’m excited to continue my journey as a Chicago Bull.” “Everyone in the organization has been so welcoming to my family and me since I arrived in Chicago.” I am more driven than ever to work as a team to accomplish our shared objectives.
Vucevic, who will turn 33 in October, has played for Philadelphia, Orlando, and Chicago for 12 seasons, averaging 17 points and 10.5 rebounds. The Bulls, in their first significant move under Karnisovas, acquired him from the Magic in March 2021 for Wendell Carter Jr. and two first-round selections, sending a message to elite free agents that they were serious about becoming contenders.
Before the 2021–22 season, Chicago signed DeMar DeRozan, Lonzo Ball, and Alex Caruso. After four consecutive losing seasons, Chicago finished 46–36 and qualified for the playoffs. However, they lost in the play-in tournament and fell to 40-42 the previous season.
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