Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic said his ongoing dialogue with executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas leaves him unfazed by persistent trade rumors.
Speaking to BasketNews shortly before Montenegro’s 27-point defeat to Lithuania at EuroBasket 2025, the veteran big man emphasized the strength of their relationship. “We have good communication. He has always been pretty open with me,” Vucevic said, noting that Karnisovas recently texted him after buyout reports surfaced, advising him not to “read into it.”
Vucevic, who posted 20 points and 10 rebounds in the loss, traced the connection back to his 2011 pre-draft workout with Houston, when Karnisovas—then a Rockets executive—took him to dinner. “I have known him for a very long time,” he added.
The 34-year-old, who turns 35 in October, has been linked to both trade and buyout chatter for months. He is entering the final season of a contract worth $21.48 million.
Despite the speculation, Vucevic said he expects to begin the 2024-25 campaign in Chicago and is open to an extended stay. “I have one more year left with them, so we will see what happens. But yeah, obviously, I would love to win in Chicago,” he said.
Vucevic also defended the front office, pointing to the Bulls’ injury issues and recent shift toward younger players as key factors in the organization’s direction.
Source: Hoops Wire
