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[Chicago Bulls]

NBA insider: Chicago Bulls 2025 draft marks the end of Nikola Vucevic

With the 12th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, one NBA insider predicts the Chicago Bulls will select Nikola Vucevic’s replacement. This has been a common theme among most mock drafts, as the majority feature a big man, and most of those are center prospects. Less than two weeks out from draft night, that’s exactly what one NBA insider thinks will go down.

NBA insider thinks Chicago Bulls land center of the future in the draft​

Houston Cougars guard Milos Uzan (7) dribbles the ball against Duke Blue Devils center Khaman Maluach (9) during the first half in the semifinals of the men’s Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

It’s not exactly a bold prediction, but Bleacher Report analyst Greg Swartz thinks the 2025 NBA Draft will spell doom for Nikola Vucevic. No matter what Chicago does with him in the meantime, this draft should be all about moving on from the longtime center.

“Current starter Nikola Vucevic will turn 35 at the beginning of the season and is entering the final year of his contract at a reasonable $21.4 million. He’d be a good fit on a center-needy contender in need of floor-spacing, rebounding and passing,” Swartz wrote. A trade is not necessarily imminent, but it certainly makes a lot of sense.

But regardless, the future does not include the veteran center, so Chicago must make a choice with that in mind. “If the Bulls trade Vucevic (or even hold on to him one more year), they will need a young center to replace him. Picking at No. 12 overall, Chicago could hope Duke’s Khaman Maluach will fall to them or may eye Maryland’s Derik Queen,” he concluded.

NCAA Basketball: NCAA Tournament West Regional Maryland at Florida

Chicago is perhaps still not quite good enough to prioritize position over talent, but picking Maluach 12th would almost certainly be taking the best player available, and Queen would be safe in that range as well. Others might not be, so there’s certainly a chance the Bulls don’t pick Nikola Vucevic’s replacement.

However, this is a very safe prediction. The Bulls need a center because they aren’t going to extend Vucevic. They might not even make it to the trade deadline with him on the roster, which would probably be wise for a team stuck in the play-in region of the Eastern Conference.

Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/chica...mpaign=chicago-bulls-draft-end-nikola-vucevic

 

[Chicago Bulls]

Chicago Bulls make surprise decision on Billy Donovan amid Knicks’ request: Report

The Chicago Bulls are making a decisive decision on head coach Billy Donovan this offseason. Donovan is set to enter his sixth season as the head coach of the Bulls.

The New York Knicks recently requested permission to speak with the two-time national champion head coach at Florida, but the Bulls denied the request. K.C. Johnson of CHSN suggested the Knicks would possibly circle around to see if the Bulls would be willing to part with Donovan, coming off a 39-43 campaign with Chicago that ended in a blowout loss at home to the Miami Heat in the Play-In Tournament.

Johnson argued Donovan wasn’t expected to leave the Bulls, as the organization was “in love” with what he’s done during his time in Chicago.

The Chicago Bulls are making a decision on Billy Donovan​

Bulls head coach Billy Donovan calls for a timeout during the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images

Per NBA insider Marc Stein, the Bulls are seeking to extend the contract of Donovan this summer.

“The Bulls are in the process of extending coach Billy Donovan’s contract, league sources tell @TheSteinLine. Donovan, of course, was one of five coaches under contract that the Knicks sought permission to speak to,” Stein posted on X.

The Bulls are in the process of extending coach Billy Donovan's contract, league sources tell @TheSteinLine.

Donovan, of course, was one of five coaches under contract that the Knicks sought permission to speak to.

More NBA from me: https://t.co/zUF9RvJwNI

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— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 15, 2025

Donovan, 60, has a 195-205 record with the Bulls. The two-time NBA Coach of the Year has a 438-362 career record as a head coach in the NBA, including five seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Bulls head coach Billy Donovan reacts during a timeout in the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images

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Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/billy...n=billy-donovan-extend-chicago-bulls-nba-news