The Warriors are making a strong push to land Bulls center Nikola Vucevic before next week’s trade deadline, emerging as the clear frontrunner in talks with Chicago.
But there’s a catch – Golden State isn’t willing to give up what the Bulls want.
While Chicago is hoping for at least a first-round pick for their veteran big man, the Warriors have only put second-round draft picks on the table so far, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
It’s easy to see why Golden State wants Vucevic. The 34-year-old center is having one of his best shooting seasons ever, hitting an impressive 40.6% from three-point range while averaging 20.1 points and 10.3 rebounds per game.
That kind of shooting from a big man is exactly what the Warriors need right now.
“They’ve talked plenty internally about the need for a center who makes 3s consistently,” The Athletic’s Anthony Slater reported earlier this month. It would give them more options when playing Draymond Green and Jonathan Kuminga together.
Vucevic isn’t just a shooter – he’s also great at setting screens, averaging 3 screen assists per game. That could be huge for creating space for Steph Curry.
The two-time All-Star is in the middle of a three-year, $60 million deal with the Bulls, making about $20 million this season. He’s owed $21.48 million next year too.
While earlier reports suggested the Lakers might compete with Golden State for Vucevic, that’s apparently not happening anymore. Sources told Stein that LA isn’t expected to pursue him.
The Warriors really need this deal to work out. They’re sitting in 11th place in the West with a 22-23 record and are trying hard to avoid missing the playoffs for the second straight year.
Chicago might have to lower their asking price though. The Bulls are stuck in 10th place in the East with a 19-27 record, and getting something for Vucevic now could be better than holding out for a first-round pick that might never come.
