Two-time All-Star Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic has made a comment that could turn off many Windy City fans.
The 6-foot-10 former USC big man, who’ll turn 35 in 20 days, will fetch $21.5 million in the final season of his current deal with the Bulls.
He’s eligible for an extension at any point this season, although it seems that Chicago is, begrudgingly, making a push towards a youth movement.
Bulls’ uninspiring center options beyond Vucevic
Right now, oft-hurt 27-year-old veteran center Zach Collins and 25-year-old big Jalen Smith are the two backups fighting for minutes behind Vucevic. Collins himself is on an expiring $18.1 million contract, while Smith has two seasons and $18.4 million left on his deal. His $9 million salary this season looks like a bit of an overpay, and could be tough to move unless he gets significantly more run.
Per Sam Smith of Bulls.com, Vucevic has now claimed — a bit ominously — that he feels like he has a lot of basketball left in him. Fans, no doubt, are nervous that Chicago’s incredibly lazy front office could just opt for the path of least resistance and run it back.
“I still feel very young, actually,” Vucevic claimed. “I enjoy the energy these (young) guys bring. I enjoy being the oldest guy here and helping them develop through the ups and downs they go through; like I went through. We have some very good young talent on this team, and the best part is we all want to do it the right way, get better and improve and try to win.That’s enjoyable for me. I had a good year, played well with them trying to be the best leader I can be and pass down the wisdom I have. We’ll see how it goes.”
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Vucevic is a competent, if fairly unexciting, option for Chicago.
In his 14th pro season last year, the stunningly steady Vucevic averaged 18.5 points on .530/.402/.805 shooting splits, 10.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.7 blocks — while suiting up for 73 regular season bouts.
But he’s incredibly slow-footed, a bit of a ball-hog, and a poor defender. Retaining him for what should be a rebuilding situation prioritizing development would be a futile gesture.
Head coach Billy Donovan, for one, raved about Vucevic’s ability to keep himself healthy so deep into his career.
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Across the past four seasons, Vucevic has only missed an average of eight games a night — not bad for a guy who notched 33.0 minutes a night.
“He keeps himself in great shape,” Donovan said. “Takes care of his body. One of first players here in the weight room and gets treatment. What’s happened now is some of age (concerns) have gotten pushed further down the road the way these guys are in tune with their bodies and take care of their bodies, eating, hydration, information, the education guys get.”
Despite having some younger depth behind him, Donovan appeared to suggest that Vucevic’s role would remain relatively consistent with what it has been during his prior seasons in town.
“I still think Vooch is a very productive player and can continue to be a productive player for us,” Donovan opined. “He’s always been a team guy.”
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