Vucevic Trade Watch 2025

[jnrjr79]

Not that I wouldn't rather see other guys get Vuc's minutes, but when has there ever been any indication that he was pouting or a bad influence on younger players?

There have been many instances where people felt he was pouting on the court. When he signed his extension, he talked about part of the negotiation being increasing his role. I don't know that it goes so far as being a bad influence though. I've never really heard that. Also, it seemed like post deadline he and Donovan had a sit down about his role, and he agreed to change it.

I don't think Vuc is a disruptive guy by any stretch, and he may have adapted into what the team wants now, but previously he definitely was constantly looking to expand his usage.

There were also reports that he was pouting about not getting enough post touches, IIRC. (That may be what you mean about increasing his role - I couldn’t tell.)

[MGB8]

Bulls are unlikely to do it, but I am now more on the buy-out side of the ledger. No trades seem particularly viable, so why not get the roster spot, save a few million, and sign a Mo Bamba or other potentially better fitting C, defense oriented C to fight for rotation minutes (and not get entitlement minutes).

[Ccwatercraft]

Bulls are unlikely to do it, but I am now more on the buy-out side of the ledger. No trades seem particularly viable, so why not get the roster spot, save a few million, and sign a Mo Bamba or other potentially better fitting C, defense oriented C to fight for rotation minutes (and not get entitlement minutes).

I'd dump Carter long before buying out vuc. Carter is actually useless on this roster, vuc is not.

[jnrjr79]

Bulls are unlikely to do it, but I am now more on the buy-out side of the ledger. No trades seem particularly viable, so why not get the roster spot, save a few million, and sign a Mo Bamba or other potentially better fitting C, defense oriented C to fight for rotation minutes (and not get entitlement minutes).

I'd dump Carter long before buying out vuc. Carter is actually useless on this roster, vuc is not.

The thing is Carter is not taking away touches from guys you want to develop.

[Ccwatercraft]

Bulls are unlikely to do it, but I am now more on the buy-out side of the ledger. No trades seem particularly viable, so why not get the roster spot, save a few million, and sign a Mo Bamba or other potentially better fitting C, defense oriented C to fight for rotation minutes (and not get entitlement minutes).

I'd dump Carter long before buying out vuc. Carter is actually useless on this roster, vuc is not.

The thing is Carter is not taking away touches from guys you want to develop.

Like mo bomba? Nah...

If Collins or Smith are better they will get some minutes, but they aren't really better, just different. Bomba would likely be our 4th center if we signed him today

[jnrjr79]

I'd dump Carter long before buying out vuc. Carter is actually useless on this roster, vuc is not.

The thing is Carter is not taking away touches from guys you want to develop.

Like mo bomba? Nah...

If Collins or Smith are better they will get some minutes, but they aren't really better, just different. Bomba would likely be our 4th center if we signed him today

I wasn’t talking about Bomba. Just addressing buying out Vooch vs. Carter.

[Ccwatercraft]

The thing is Carter is not taking away touches from guys you want to develop.

Like mo bomba? Nah...

If Collins or Smith are better they will get some minutes, but they aren't really better, just different. Bomba would likely be our 4th center if we signed him today

I wasn’t talking about Bomba. Just addressing buying out Vooch vs. Carter.

We can agree to disagree

I'm simply stating. Vuc > Carter

We actually need vuc until we find a replacement and i dont think that person is on the roster, although I'd like to see collins/Smith get more burn.

[jnrjr79]

Like mo bomba? Nah...

If Collins or Smith are better they will get some minutes, but they aren't really better, just different. Bomba would likely be our 4th center if we signed him today

I wasn’t talking about Bomba. Just addressing buying out Vooch vs. Carter.

We can agree to disagree

I'm simply stating. Vuc > Carter

I just don’t think you’re actually addressing what I’m saying.

Sure, Vooch is better than Carter. But Carter doesn’t matter. He’s just a non-rotation contract. He doesn’t matter for what is happening this season. Which is why getting rid of Vooch would actually matter - it would free up opportunities for other players. Buying out Carter just opens a roster spot but has no other effect.

[samwana]

I wasn’t talking about Bomba. Just addressing buying out Vooch vs. Carter.

We can agree to disagree

I'm simply stating. Vuc > Carter

I just don’t think you’re actually addressing what I’m saying.

Sure, Vooch is better than Carter. But Carter doesn’t matter. He’s just a non-rotation contract. He doesn’t matter for what is happening this season. Which is why getting rid of Vooch would actually matter - it would free up opportunities for other players. Buying out Carter just opens a roster spot but has no other effect.

I agree, yes Vuc is way better than Carter, he is also way more likely to get minutes that take away our possibility to see how good Matas is, how good Coby is with an average defender behind him, how good Smith and Collins really are. So yeah I'd rather buy out Vuc over Carter. Carter is okay getting his DNP's.

And Vuc has some of the worst body language on court if the refs make a bad decision, if he doesn't get enough touches, if his shot isn't falling, etc. He takes a lot of plays of on defense, doesn't really get up and down the court anymore and plain and simple: he doesn't fit and needs to go.

If he comes of the bench for 10-15 minutes I have no problem with him, but Billy probably won't relegate him to the bench, where he belongs with this run and gun team, so that's another reason to buy him out.

[sco]

We can agree to disagree

I'm simply stating. Vuc > Carter

I just don’t think you’re actually addressing what I’m saying.

Sure, Vooch is better than Carter. But Carter doesn’t matter. He’s just a non-rotation contract. He doesn’t matter for what is happening this season. Which is why getting rid of Vooch would actually matter - it would free up opportunities for other players. Buying out Carter just opens a roster spot but has no other effect.

I agree, yes Vuc is way better than Carter, he is also way more likely to get minutes that take away our possibility to see how good Matas is, how good Coby is with an average defender behind him, how good Smith and Collins really are. So yeah I'd rather buy out Vuc over Carter. Carter is okay getting his DNP's.

And Vuc has some of the worst body language on court if the refs make a bad decision, if he doesn't get enough touches, if his shot isn't falling, etc. He takes a lot of plays of on defense, doesn't really get up and down the court anymore and plain and simple: he doesn't fit and needs to go.

If he comes of the bench for 10-15 minutes I have no problem with him, but Billy probably won't relegate him to the bench, where he belongs with this run and gun team, so that's another reason to buy him out.

+100

[Ccwatercraft]

I wasn’t talking about Bomba. Just addressing buying out Vooch vs. Carter.

We can agree to disagree

I'm simply stating. Vuc > Carter

I just don’t think you’re actually addressing what I’m saying.

Sure, Vooch is better than Carter. But Carter doesn’t matter. He’s just a non-rotation contract. He doesn’t matter for what is happening this season. Which is why getting rid of Vooch would actually matter - it would free up opportunities for other players. Buying out Carter just opens a roster spot but has no other effect.

I.get it, but what you are really saying is that Billy is going to start vuc because in his professional opinion he's the best center on the roster so we need to.remove him to eliminate that issue. (Reminds me of Brad Pitt trading every 1st baseman in moneyball, but in this example it appears that management and coaching agree)

So, addressing your point, matas and Noa can still develop, and neither Collins nor Smith appear to have another level, at least from what I see. Perhaps a side issue is that I'm not a pro tank fan. Tanking sucks, its boring, frustrating and unwatchable, so I'm never thing to advocate for dumping players just to suck.


The reality is that I tend to agree with Billy, he IS our best center right now. I.dont have to be happy about it, but to just buy him out seems senseless, buy out the worst contract, and thats carter. Now if you dump Carter and grab a flyer on another center that's fine and hopefully he turns into something.

I find Collins interesting and hope he gets more time, not excited much about Smith, but honestly he got so little burn against starters it's hard to say what he can do. as interesting as those two backups might be, neither is the answer.

[samwana]

We can agree to disagree

I'm simply stating. Vuc > Carter

I just don’t think you’re actually addressing what I’m saying.

Sure, Vooch is better than Carter. But Carter doesn’t matter. He’s just a non-rotation contract. He doesn’t matter for what is happening this season. Which is why getting rid of Vooch would actually matter - it would free up opportunities for other players. Buying out Carter just opens a roster spot but has no other effect.

I.get it, but what you are really saying is that Billy is going to start vuc because in his professional opinion he's the best center on the roster so we need to.remove him to eliminate that issue. (Reminds me of Brad Pitt trading every 1st baseman in moneyball, but in this example it appears that management and coaching agree)

So, addressing your point, matas and Noa can still develop, and neither Collins nor Smith appear to have another level, at least from what I see. Perhaps a side issue is that I'm not a pro tank fan. Tanking sucks, its boring, frustrating and unwatchable, so I'm never thing to advocate for dumping players just to suck.


The reality is that I tend to agree with Billy, he IS our best center right now. I.dont have to be happy about it, but to just buy him out seems senseless, buy out the worst contract, and thats carter. Now if you dump Carter and grab a flyer on another center that's fine and hopefully he turns into something.

I find Collins interesting and hope he gets more time, not excited much about Smith, but honestly he got so little burn against starters it's hard to say what he can do. as interesting as those two backups might be, neither is the answer.

Tanking sucks yes and it is boring yes, so is watching Vuc slowing down the game and taking forever for a decision. Sometimes the better player is not better for the team.

Billy tends to cater to the highest paid/most established player and let him have a lot of freedom on the court. We've seen DDR go and we didn't get worse, we saw Zach go and didn't get worse, the difference was that we got more fun to watch. Same will happen when Vuc goes, more fun to watch and we have a chance to get better. We already know what Vuc will give us, let's see what happens without him or at least with him coming of the bench, getting touches he shouldn't get as a starter.

[MGB8]

I just don’t think you’re actually addressing what I’m saying.

Sure, Vooch is better than Carter. But Carter doesn’t matter. He’s just a non-rotation contract. He doesn’t matter for what is happening this season. Which is why getting rid of Vooch would actually matter - it would free up opportunities for other players. Buying out Carter just opens a roster spot but has no other effect.

I.get it, but what you are really saying is that Billy is going to start vuc because in his professional opinion he's the best center on the roster so we need to.remove him to eliminate that issue. (Reminds me of Brad Pitt trading every 1st baseman in moneyball, but in this example it appears that management and coaching agree)

So, addressing your point, matas and Noa can still develop, and neither Collins nor Smith appear to have another level, at least from what I see. Perhaps a side issue is that I'm not a pro tank fan. Tanking sucks, its boring, frustrating and unwatchable, so I'm never thing to advocate for dumping players just to suck.


The reality is that I tend to agree with Billy, he IS our best center right now. I.dont have to be happy about it, but to just buy him out seems senseless, buy out the worst contract, and thats carter. Now if you dump Carter and grab a flyer on another center that's fine and hopefully he turns into something.

I find Collins interesting and hope he gets more time, not excited much about Smith, but honestly he got so little burn against starters it's hard to say what he can do. as interesting as those two backups might be, neither is the answer.

Tanking sucks yes and it is boring yes, so is watching Vuc slowing down the game and taking forever for a decision. Sometimes the better player is not better for the team.

Billy tends to cater to the highest paid/most established player and let him have a lot of freedom on the court. We've seen DDR go and we didn't get worse, we saw Zach go and didn't get worse, the difference was that we got more fun to watch. Same will happen when Vuc goes, more fun to watch and we have a chance to get better. We already know what Vuc will give us, let's see what happens without him or at least with him coming of the bench, getting touches he shouldn't get as a starter.

Although I'm not 100% sure that I agree, let's assume for sake of argument that Vuc right now is a better player, overall, than either Collins or Smith.

Does that mean that the team is better when he is on the Court, as opposed to the other 2, especially Giddey/Coby led starters?

The Bulls are looking to run, and have a starting lineup with 2 poor defenders. Having the C be another poor defender, particularly range, who slows down the offense in terms of transition play is not exactly ideal.

Yes, his solid shooting and passing can help in the half court, as can the rebounding, but, all in all, I think the poorness of the fit with the starters outweighs any qualitative advantage vs. the faster other 2 who also shoot decently and bring different offensive and defensive strengths.

[Indomitable]

I just don’t think you’re actually addressing what I’m saying.

Sure, Vooch is better than Carter. But Carter doesn’t matter. He’s just a non-rotation contract. He doesn’t matter for what is happening this season. Which is why getting rid of Vooch would actually matter - it would free up opportunities for other players. Buying out Carter just opens a roster spot but has no other effect.

I agree, yes Vuc is way better than Carter, he is also way more likely to get minutes that take away our possibility to see how good Matas is, how good Coby is with an average defender behind him, how good Smith and Collins really are. So yeah I'd rather buy out Vuc over Carter. Carter is okay getting his DNP's.

And Vuc has some of the worst body language on court if the refs make a bad decision, if he doesn't get enough touches, if his shot isn't falling, etc. He takes a lot of plays of on defense, doesn't really get up and down the court anymore and plain and simple: he doesn't fit and needs to go.

If he comes of the bench for 10-15 minutes I have no problem with him, but Billy probably won't relegate him to the bench, where he belongs with this run and gun team, so that's another reason to buy him out.

+100

This is a fan fiction. Just like Everyone holding Patrick Williams nonsense. If Matas proves it. His teammates will get him the ball.

Any player who has it gets the ball. Harden in OKC was there 4th quarter pg. This was when Westbrock was nuclear explosive but Harden made better decisions.

Giddey, Ayo, and even Coby will get the ball to Matas. Honestly Matas is not a passive coward. He would go get it.

[2weekswithpay]

I'm not sure I'd say Vuc gets in the way of anyone's development, except Smith. Collins is a 8 year vet. How much growth can you expect from him right now?

Vuc doesn't fit a fast paced offense, but he isn't stopping them from playing fast like Derozan would. Vuc doesn't monopolize the ball either.

Vuc needs to go because there is no long term benefit for keeping him on the roster.

[MrSparkle]

I think Vuc's defense ruins the team. With a Collins/Smith rotation, we could potentially be a solid 7 or 8 seed just given how hard Billy is trying to coach and get guys to earn minutes, defend and hustle. Vuc throws a wrench in that. But minimizing his minutes to 20 mpg is probably the best role, cause his offense is more consistent. Giving him 40 min. in the play-in game blew any chance of beating Miami.

[dougthonus]

I'm not sure I'd say Vuc gets in the way of anyone's development, except Smith. Collins is a 8 year vet. How much growth can you expect from him right now?

Vuc doesn't fit a fast paced offense, but he isn't stopping them from playing fast like Derozan would. Vuc doesn't monopolize the ball either.

Vuc needs to go because there is no long term benefit for keeping him on the roster.

Yeah, I don't think Vuc is hurting anyone's development either.

I think the team will play better with Collins and Smith though, just like the team has played better with every center they've had since Vuc has been here (including both Collins and Smith last year, Jordan previously, and even Tony Bradley before that).

The short version is he's the worst defensive center we've had since he has arrived, and on offense, while he is undoubtably more talented than everyone else, he isn't talented enough to be a better option than all the other guys who could get shots instead and we'd generally be better off just putting only gimmie possessions and dunks in the hands of our centers instead of trying to run offense through Vuc.

[WesPeace]

Vucevic bashing on this forum is really crazy.. he is scapegoat for almost everything. Yeah, he is not good defender, but overall he is very solid on offense, very durable double double machine and not on that bad of a contract in modern NBA standards for starter and numbers he provides.

[Ronny_G]

This summarizes my opinion well. I would be fine with a Vuc trade for nearly anything because he doesn't fit our timeline and his defense is poor but he is still a good player and doesn't deserve all the hate.

[ChettheJet]

As for trading. I think he stays and starts unless some contender has a starting center who suffers a season ending injury. That team not wanting to instantly reverse course and lose their way into the lottery ignores what they read here and decides a double double guy resets their approach slightly and keeps them on a playoff track. Then you have to hope they have the package to send back that is and expiring contract, some young guys on rookie deals, somebody the Bulls can buy out and a top 10-12 protected FRP in a year or two.