The Bulls have been trying to trade Nikola Vucevic for the last two years (at least). Chicago and the Golden State Warriors had talks about a deal surrounding the veteran big man at last year’s trade deadline, and it’s certainly not out of the realm of possibility that the two franchises resume conversations this offseason.
The Warriors and Bulls are on separate timelines; finding a common ground to swap some future assets for current ones could work. Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report floated out a mock trade that makes sense for both organizations.
But it would be a coup for Chicago.
Bulls trade Nikola Vucevic to Warriors for rising young guard in proposed deal
Bailey’s potential transaction looks like this:
The Warriors are in obvious win-now mode, especially after acquiring Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat at last year’s trade deadline and then giving him a two-year, $111 million extension that will run through his age-37 season.
Butler (35), Stephen Curry (36) and Draymond Green (34) are the core of Golden State’s roster, and the franchise is pushing to win another title in the next few years.
The Warriors are painfully shallow at center. Kevon Looney played the most total minutes at the position in 2024-25 and averaged 4.5 points and 6.1 rebounds in 15.0 minutes per game. Quentin Post and Trayce Jackson-Davis were the other big men in Head Coach Steve Kerr’s rotation, and they combined to average 31.9 minutes per contest.
Vucevic is not only more reliable than that current trio, he’s a better fit as a stretch big and connective passer who would be willing to play a smaller role and give Curry and Butler more space to work offensively.
Grading the Vucevic mock trade for the Bulls
This trade is a win all the way around for Chicago.
Vucevic is more expendable than ever as he enters the final year of his current contract. He doesn’t fit the Bulls’ new offensive system, which is predicated on pace and capitalizing on as many transition opportunities as possible.
Landing Moses Moody is the big win for Chicago in this deal. Similar to Jonathan Kuminga, Moody has been underutilized as a young player on a veteran Warriors team. He did, however, start 34 games last year and averaged career highs in most major statistical categories, including points per game (9.8) and three-point shooting percentage (37.4).
The former Arkansas star is still only 23 years old and is about to kick off a team-friendly three-year, $37 million contract.
Hield is, by all accounts, a positive veteran presence and would help with what will be another young Bulls locker room. He’s owed less than $20 million over the next two years before a $10.1 million player option comes in 2027-28. His skills may be declining, but he’s still a well-above-average shooter from deep and would be an ideal fit as a sharpshooting swingman off Head Coach Billy Donovan’s bench.
Trading Vucevic is a win in any scenario, but including just two second-round picks in the deal to land a young, up-and-coming player like Moody, who will have the opportunity to play a larger role in Chicago, and a high-level role player like Hield, makes this proposal a no-doubter if it comes to fruition.
