Nikola Vucevic has been one of the most productive centers at this year’s FIBA EuroBasket tournament, and it could create some intriguing decisions for the Chicago Bulls once the 2025-26 NBA season starts.

The Bulls have been interested in trading their soon-to-be 35-year-old center for more than a year, as he no longer fits the system head coach Billy Donovan employs. Donovan wants to cause havoc on defense and run in transition at every opportunity — Vucevic is a bad defender and far more comfortable in a half-court offense.

Still, there’s something to be said for having an experienced big man on the floor with a young roster, especially one who’s still productive despite his advanced basketball age. Vooch averaged a double-double again last season (18.5 points, 10.1 rebounds) and has spent the past week dominating on an international stage.

Nikola Vucevic’s EuroBasket performance gives the Bulls options again

There wasn’t much of a market for him at last year’s trade deadline — Chicago was reportedly holding out for a late first-round pick in return — and this summer’s rumor mill has stopped spinning entirely around Vucevic. Reports of a potential mid-season buyout have surfaced, which, given his NBA production last year, seems a bit over the top.

But the mill could start spinning again rapidly, given the 14-year NBA veteran’s production at EuroBasket.

Vucevic ended the tournament’s group stage tops in scoring among all centers at 20.8 points per game. In second place is Nikola Jokic.

The two-time all-star tied Jokic in total assists among all centers and finished first in total 3-pointers made, second in rebounds and seventh in field-goal percentage.

In Montenegro’s opening game against Germany, Vucevic dropped 23 points on 10-of-13 shooting from the field and 2-of-3 from three. He also grabbed 10 rebounds and handed out five assists. In game two against Lithuania, he finished with 20 points,10 rebounds and four assists.

After a down game against Finland and former Bulls forward Lauri Markkanen, Vooch responded by posting a 23-point, 15-rebound stat line in a win over Sweden. He was a defensive menace in that contest as well, blocking three shots and snagging a pair of steals.

But Vucevic saved his best for last. In Montenegro’s final group stage game, a loss to Great Britain that all but ended his country’s shot at advancing to the knockout rounds, he scored 31 points on 12-of-18 shooting while adding 11 rebounds and seven assists.

Vucevic could be an asset again for the Bulls in 2025-26

It’s easy to see how his trade value could rise, even if it only reaches the level of a few second-round picks, but Vucevic could be beneficial to Chicago on the floor this season.

Sure, he doesn’t fit the Bulls’ scheme, but he’s obviously still capable of performing at a high level. EuroBasket is one of the most competitive tournaments on the continent and he’s coming off the seventh consecutive season in which he’s averaged a double-double.

Either way, Vucevic is likely back on the NBA radar and that’s nothing but good news in Chicago.