Bulls' long overdue Nikola Vucevic trade may finally become a reality

The offseason is finally here. After seven tumultuous months, attention will shift toward the NBA Draft, free agency, and the unofficial trade season for all but 16 teams. As the playoffs progress, more franchises will join the 14 teams already looking toward the future.

The Chicago Bulls are among those 14 — perhaps “lucky” to some — who’ve gotten a jumpstart on the offseason. The next key date on their calendar is May 12: the NBA Draft Lottery, where Chicago's draft fate will be decided. The Bulls currently hold the 13th spot in the draft order, giving them a 5.7% chance at a top-four pick and a 1.2% shot at Duke sensation Cooper Flagg.

While the draft is a major focus, the Bulls are also free to begin exploring trades. Although the trade market typically doesn’t fully heat up until after the NBA Finals, early conversations and groundwork often begin during this quiet period in late spring.

The Bulls Have Slowly Begun Purging Aging Talent

Last offseason, the Bulls kicked off a mini-reset with a trade that initially drew heavy criticism. Alex Caruso, a two-time All-NBA Defender, was shipped to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Josh Giddey. Many media outlets panned the deal, arguing Chicago failed to extract a draft pick from the asset-rich Thunder.

However, less than a year later, opinions have shifted. Giddey has shown immense promise, especially after the trade deadline, where he performed at a near-All-Star level. His growth has helped reshape the narrative around the Bulls’ decision, suggesting that their retooling strategy may be on more solid ground than initially thought.

With more potential moves on the horizon, and the lottery looming, the Bulls find themselves at a pivotal point in shaping their future.

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