Bulls insider finds perfect free agent replacement for Nikola Vucevic

Bulls insider finds perfect free agent replacement for Nikola Vucevic originally appeared on The Sporting News

A Chicago Bulls insider has identified the perfect replacement for two-time All-Star center Nikola Vucevic.

The 34-year-old big man may be a floor-spacing, double-double machine for Chicago who rarely gets hurt, but his lack of foot speed or effective post defense makes his fit somewhat incongruous with the fast-paced offense head coach Billy Donovan appears to prefer.

In 73 healthy bouts for the 39-43 Bulls last year, the 6-foot-10 USC product averaged 17.2 points on .497/.348/.770 shooting splits, 10.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 0.9 blocks and 0.8 steals a night.

The end of Vucevic's time in Chicago?

Vucevic is on an expiring $21.5 million deal, and will hit unrestricted free agency next summer unless he and Chicago agree to an extension. Despite his prolific output and relatively consistent health (he's missed an average of six games across his past four seasons in Chicago), it doesn't seem like there has been much movement towards an extension.

On paper, the seasoned vet seems like he could still help a playoff squad (the Bulls haven't been such a squad since 2022), but his next team would need strong defense at its other frontcourt position and along the perimeter.

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It might behoove Chicago to look elsewhere for its next starting center — specifically for a younger, more defensively oriented option.

According to Elias Schuster of Bleacher Nation, Oklahoma City Thunder five Isaiah Hartenstein could be just such a piece.

The 27-year-old has a $28.5 million club option for 2026-27, by which point he could be made more or less expendable by Chet Holmgren on what will by then be a pricey roster. Perhaps Oklahoma City will let him take his chances in unrestricted free agency.

"Isaiah Hartenstein has turned into one of the most trustworthy bigs in the NBA. He pairs a strong and agile defensive skillset with a crafty post presence," Schuster notes. "The veteran has also been one of the best passers at his position over the last several years."

Last season, the 7-footer averaged a career-best 11.2 points on 58.1 percent shooting from the floor and 67.5 percent shooting from the foul line, a career-best 10.7 rebounds, and a career-best 3.8 assists, plus 1.1 blocks, for the 68-14 Thunder en route to his first championship this summer. He's mobile, athletic, and a far better fit for Chicago's future than Vucevic.

"He could be just the kind of center they need to replace Nikola Vucevic," Schuster notes.

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