The Golden State Warriors are believed to be interested in acquiring Nikola Vucevic from the Chicago Bulls. Rumors suggest that the two teams have been engaged in trade talks for weeks but nothing has materialised until now. It remains to be seen if that changes in the near future but with the trade deadline getting closer, teams need to be quick if they want to get deals done this season.
Vucevic is not believed to have a long-term future in Chicago despite enjoying a fantastic season so far, as the veteran center has proven a lot of doubters wrong and is averaging 20.3 points and 10.4 rebounds per game while making 55.4% of his field goal attempts and 41.1% from three-pointers.
Julius Randle is another player whose long-term future appears to be up in the air. His numbers have dropped significantly since joining the Minnesota Timberwolves. Randle is averaging 18.9 points, 7.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game with the Timberwolves. The three-time All-Star’s worst output since leaving the Los Angeles Lakers. Randle is unlikely to decline his $30.9 million player option this offseason but might not have a long-term future with the Timberwolves, who could have other priorities.
In Bleacher Report, Eric Pincus has proposed a three-team trade idea that would see the Timberwolves receive Lonzo Ball, Buddy Hield, Julian Phillips and a $2.9 million trade exception (Julius Randle). The Warriors would get Vucevic, Patrick Williams, Torrey Craig, Talen Horton-Tucker and a $9.1 million trade exception (Gary Payton II). The Bulls would receive Julius Randle, Jonathan Kuminga, Kevon Looney, Kyle Anderson, Gary Payton II, Luka Garza, a $20 million trade exception (Nikola Vucevic) and a $2.8 million trade exception (Torrey Craig). The Bulls would be adding a lot in such a trade. They would get Randle, who is arguably the best player out of everybody involved. Kuminga has always been considered an elite talent although we are yet to see him truly breakout in Golden State. And Looney is a three-time champion who can be a steady presence on the court for a young team.
