By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic wants to explore all available options in the 2023 offseason that he will reach as an unrestricted free agent. The Montenegrin big man appreciates that the Bulls and general manager Arturas Karnisovas have expressed their desire to keep him, but, at the same time, he wants to keep all his doors open.
“It’s nice to hear that,” Vucevic said in an interview with Hoopshype when asked about the Bulls’ willingness to re-sign him. “It’s nice to hear that the front office has confidence in you and believes in you. We’ll see what happens when the time comes to discuss a new contract. I feel good here. I’m in a good place. If they want to continue, we can come to an agreement. I’d consider it for sure, but also, being a free agent, I’ll have opportunities to look at other stuff.”
Vucevic, who will be 33 years old when the 2023-24 season begins, cited a couple of factors that will play a part in his offseason decisions: The goals of the club, being in a place that satisfies his family and, of course ,the financial aspect.
“The situation and direction of the team,” Vucevic mentioned. “How good can we be? Everybody says they want to play for a championship. It’s hard. Usually, there are really one or two teams that have a chance at it, and then there are other teams that are right there. There’s a lot that goes into it, but being on a team that’s trying to win and fight for something is going to be most important for me. Now, I have a third kid on the way, so I want a good place for my family and myself as well, and obviously the contract (money) as well. A mix of those three things will be important. We’ll see what happens. I don’t think too much about it right now. I’m really focused on trying to finish the season strong, and hopefully we can make a push and climb up the standings a little bit.”
In the 2022-23 season so far, Vucevic is averaging 17.8 points, 11.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists for a Chicago Bulls team that is currently 11th in the Eastern Conference standings with a 26-31 record.