(670 The Score) Veteran center Nikola Vucevic will return to the Bulls.
Vucevic and the Bulls have reached an extension agreement, the team announced Wednesday afternoon. The deal was for three years and $60 million, according to reports. Vucevic was set to hit unrestricted free agency Friday evening before re-signing with Chicago.
Vucevic staying put in Chicago came as no surprise, as Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas had publicly affirmed the team’s desire to retain him. The Bulls had also paid a big price to acquire Vucevic in March 2021, sending young center Wendell Carter Jr. and two first-round picks to the Magic to land him.
“During his time in Chicago, Nikola has proven that he is a special player both on and off the court,” Karnisovas said in a statement. “He has produced at an elite level since we acquired him and will remain an integral part of our foundation moving forward. Nikola’s willingness to do whatever is asked of him to help us win while also being an established veteran leader for our group makes him a valuable component of the culture of our organization. He is a consummate professional and tremendous teammate, which plays a big role in making us an attractive destination for other players. We are excited to have him continue to be part of our journey.”
Vucevic, who will turn 33 in October, averaged 17.6 points and 11.0 rebounds while playing all 82 games last season. Vucevic shot 52.0% overall and 34.9% from 3-point range.
“I’m excited to continue my journey as a Chicago Bull,” Vucevic said in a statement. “Since I have arrived in Chicago, everyone in the organization has been incredibly welcoming to my family and me. I am motivated more than ever to achieve our mutual goals as a team. I want to thank the Reinsdorf family and Artūras for continuing to believe in me. I also want to thank Bulls fans for the constant support, you guys are the best part about playing in Chicago. We will work harder than ever to bring success to the city of Chicago.”
Vucevic returning to the mix further hints at continuity for the Bulls, whose primary tools to improve in free agency are the mid-level exception and the bi-annual exception. The Bulls have also browsed the trade market by shopping star guard Zach LaVine, but they’ve set a high price for him and nothing has come to fruition, according to reports.
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