Nikola Vucevic stays with the Chicago Bulls until 2026
Center Nikola Vucevic joined the Chicago Bulls in a 2021 trade with the Orlando Magic and will now stay until 2026 after a contract extension.
The Chicago Bulls announced that they have extended the contract of center Nikola Vucevic. Terms of the deal were not disclosed by the franchise, but The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported that he signed a three year deal for $60 million.
Artūras Karnišovas, executive vice president of the Bulls, said in a press release that Vucevic’s extension was achieved because the team considers him an integral part of the future due to his willingness to do what it takes to win.
“He has produced at an elite level since we acquired him and will continue to be an integral part of our foundation well into the future,” said the the Chicago VP. “Nikola’s willingness to do whatever is asked of him to help us win, as well as being an established veteran leader for our group, makes him a valuable component of our organization’s culture.”
Vucevic arrived in Chicago in March 2021 in a trade with Orlando along with Al-Farouq Aminu. The Bulls sent Windel Carter Jr., Otto Porter Jr. and first-round picks from the 2021 (Franz Wagner) and 2023 (Jett Howard) drafts.
Last season, ‘Vooch’ played in every Bulls game and his 51 double-doubles were the third most in the league behind Domantas Sabonis and Nikola Jokic.
The former USC Trojans graduate has played in 823 regular season games, starting 762 of them, and posting an average of 17 points, 11 rebounds and 2.8 assists.
Chicago Bulls starting five for 2023-24
With players currently under contract for the 2023-24, the Bulls’ starting five would consist of Coby White, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Patrick Williams and Nikola Vucevic.