Experiences of a possible commerce to the Golden State Warriors do not trouble Nikola Vucevic, with the Chicago Bulls middle solely delivering extra highlight-reel performances forward of the Feb. 6 deadline.
Already within the midst of an extremely environment friendly 14th NBA season, Vucevic turned in his finest efficiency of the season Friday towards the Charlotte Hornets at United Heart.
Nikola Vucevic as soon as once more proved what the Warriors are lacking
The 34-year-old scored 40 factors on 17 of 25 taking pictures from the ground, together with 17 of Chicago’s 20 factors within the fourth quarter. Vucevic additionally added 13 rebounds, three assists, a steal and had no turnovers in his 34 minutes.
It was the fifth 40 level of Vucevic’s profession and first since he scored a career-high 43 factors towards the Warriors in January 2023. The veteran huge was a +5 within the sport, however his efficiency wasn’t sufficient because the Hornets got here away with a 125-123 upset victory.
This might show very essential because the commerce deadline approaches, with the Bulls probably sellers however having lengthy been conservative relating to the commerce potential of their gamers. Chicago has now misplaced 4 straight video games to fall to 18-24 on the season, and extra losses may give them extra incentive to make offers for Vucevic and others within the coming weeks.
Giddey with the penny behind his again 😮💨@CHSN__ | @JoshGiddey pic.twitter.com/2JSBBEXAu6
– Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 18, 2025
A potential commerce between Vucevic and Golden State has actually gained momentumreport from The Athletic earlier within the month, with more moderen studies of Michael Scotto (HoopsHype) and Jake Fischer (Bleacher Report), suggesting a transfer may nonetheless be thought-about earlier than the deadline.
Anybody who can drop 40 factors in an NBA sport could be very helpful to a Warriors workforce ranked twenty fifth in offensive ranking as of December 1, particularly when such a participant is a giant participant able to stretching the courtroom by some method. Trayce Jackson-Davis and Kevon Looney I simply cannot.
Vucevic is now averaging 20.6 factors, 10.4 rebounds and three.3 assists on the season, taking pictures 56.1% from the ground and 42% from 3-point vary. Provided that the Montenegrin exhibits no indicators of slowing down, it is likely to be inevitable that the Warriors must surrender a (probably lottery-protected) first-round choose as a way to make a cope with the Bulls.
Together with Vucevic, the Warriors have additionally lately been linked to different huge man choices like John Collins, Kelly Olynyk, Jonas Valancuinas and Robert Williams III.
