## NBA Trade Rumors: Golden State Warriors Eyeing Nikola Vucevic to Form "Big 3" with Curry and Butler This report from **The Times of India**, authored by **Raunak Bose**, details significant NBA trade rumors circulating around the **Golden State Warriors** and the **Chicago Bulls**. The primary focus is on a potential blockbuster trade that would send Chicago Bulls center **Nikola Vucevic** to the Warriors, forming a formidable "Big 3" with **Stephen Curry** and **Jimmy Butler**. The report, published on **October 13, 2025**, analyzes the implications of this potential move for both franchises and the players involved. ### Key Findings and Conclusions: * **Warriors' Championship Push:** The Golden State Warriors are reportedly a "strong contender" to acquire Nikola Vucevic, signaling an "all-in push for another championship" during the current era of their veteran stars. * **Bulls' Rebuild:** The Chicago Bulls, hovering around mediocrity, would use this trade to "reset its roster direction" and accelerate their rebuild by acquiring younger talent and shedding salary. * **Mutual Benefits:** The proposed trade is seen as appealing to both franchises, offering distinct advantages for each. ### Proposed Trade Details: The rumored deal would primarily involve the Golden State Warriors sending forward **Jonathan Kuminga** to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Nikola Vucevic. Depending on final negotiations, the trade could also include: * **Additional Players:** Potential inclusions from the Warriors could be role players like **Moses Moody** or **Buddy Hield**. * **Draft Assets:** The Warriors might also offer a future draft pick or a young prospect. ### How Each Side Benefits: **Golden State Warriors:** * **Frontcourt Enhancement:** Vucevic would provide much-needed "frontcourt size and finesse" to a team built around aging veterans. * **Offensive Synergy:** His ability to score inside and stretch the floor with three-point shooting (averaging **40.2%** from beyond the arc) would create more space for Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler, making the Warriors' offense "even more unpredictable." * **Veteran Support:** Vucevic's presence would "lighten the load on Horford," who is nearing 40 years old. * **Championship Contention:** The addition of Vucevic could elevate Golden State into the "Western Conference's top tier" in the short term. **Chicago Bulls:** * **Youthful Cornerstone:** They would acquire **Jonathan Kuminga**, a "23-year-old forward with elite athleticism and upside," representing a "youthful cornerstone." * **Salary Cap Flexibility:** Shedding Vucevic's salary, especially as he nears free agency, provides "cap space and flexibility for future moves." * **Accelerated Rebuild:** The move allows Chicago to focus on a rebuild centered around its younger players. **Nikola Vucevic:** * **Championship Opportunity:** A trade to Golden State would offer him a "legitimate chance to compete for a title." **Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Al Horford:** * **Veteran Support:** The veteran trio would benefit from Vucevic's interior presence, leading to "clearer lanes to drive" for Curry and Butler, and reduced minutes for Horford while maintaining frontcourt depth. ### Key Player Breakdown and Statistics: | Player | Age | 2024-25 PPG | 2024-25 RPG | 2024-25 APG | 3P% | Contract Status | | :--------------- | :-: | :---------: | :---------: | :---------: | :---: | :---------------------------------- | | Nikola Vucevic | 34 | 18.5 | 10.1 | 3.5 | 40.2% | Final year, $21.5M | | Jonathan Kuminga | 23 | 14.7 | 4.9 | 2.0 | 32.1% | Restricted FA (2026) | | Stephen Curry | 37 | 26.0 | 4.4 | 5.6 | 41.0% | 2 years left | | Jimmy Butler | 36 | 18.7 | 5.7 | 4.9 | 37.7% | 2 years left | | Al Horford | 39 | 9.0 | 6.2 | 2.1 | 44.6% | 1 year left | * **Nikola Vucevic:** Described as a "premier stretch center" averaging a double-double and shooting over 40% from three. * **Jonathan Kuminga:** Represents "explosive potential" with room for growth. * **Stephen Curry & Jimmy Butler:** Remain the team's "offensive engines." * **Al Horford:** Continues to provide "defensive instincts and experience." ### Pros and Cons of the Trade: **For the Warriors:** * **Pros:** * Add size, shooting, and veteran IQ. * Vucevic's shooting improves spacing for Curry and Butler. * Dual-big lineups with Horford and Vucevic add flexibility. * Gain control over Vucevic's expiring contract. * **Cons:** * Lose young upside, especially in Kuminga. * Defense and age could be issues against elite bigs. * Integrating Vucevic mid-season could disrupt chemistry. * Salary risk if Vucevic declines or departs in free agency. **For the Bulls:** * **Pros:** * Accelerate rebuild and gain cap space. * Gain a youthful cornerstone in Kuminga and potentially additional assets or salary relief. * **Cons:** * Short-term competitiveness takes a hit. ### Financial Data: * Nikola Vucevic's current contract is in its final year, valued at **$21.5 million**. * The article's title mentions a " $60 Million Chicago Bulls Superstar," which likely refers to Vucevic's potential total earnings or a perceived market value, though his current contract is not $60 million for the upcoming season. ### Significant Trends and Changes: * **Warriors' "All-In" Mentality:** The potential acquisition of Vucevic strongly indicates the Warriors are prioritizing immediate championship contention over long-term player development. * **Bulls' Strategic Reset:** The trade signifies a clear shift for the Bulls towards a youth-focused rebuild, moving away from their current veteran core. ### Notable Risks or Concerns: * **Warriors' Defense and Age:** The addition of Vucevic, combined with the existing age of Curry and Butler, could present defensive challenges against younger, more athletic opposing bigs. * **Chemistry Integration:** Integrating a new player mid-season can disrupt team chemistry. * **Vucevic's Future:** The Warriors face a risk if Vucevic declines in performance or decides to leave in free agency after his contract expires. In conclusion, this trade rumor suggests a high-stakes move for the Golden State Warriors, aiming to maximize their championship window with Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler. For the Chicago Bulls, it represents a strategic pivot towards a younger, more flexible future. The success of such a trade would hinge on the Warriors' ability to integrate Vucevic effectively and on the Bulls' long-term development of Jonathan Kuminga.
NBA Trade Rumors: Golden State Warriors Predicted to Sign $60 Million Chicago Bulls Superstar to Form Big 3 With Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler | NBA News - The Times of India
Read original at The Times of India →Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III (10) and guard Stephen Curry (30) share a laugh during the second quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Chase Center. (Image via D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images)The Golden State Warriors have surfaced as a strong contender to acquire Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic, sparking discussion about how the skilled big man could fit alongside Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Al Horford.
The potential move has fans and analysts debating how it might alter the Golden State Warriors immediate championship trajectory while giving Chicago a chance to reset its roster direction.How the Trade Could WorkThe rumored deal would see the Golden State Warriors send forward Jonathan Kuminga to the Bulls in exchange for Nikola Vucevic.
Depending on final details, the trade might include additional players or draft assets to balance salary and roster depth. Some variations suggest Chicago could receive role players like Moses Moody or Buddy Hield, while Golden State could pick up a future pick or a young prospect.This type of transaction appeals to both franchises.
The Bulls, who have hovered around mediocrity in the East, would get younger and more flexible by adding Kuminga - a 23-year-old forward with elite athleticism and upside - while shedding Nikola Vucevics salary as he nears free agency. For the Golden State Warriors, the move injects frontcourt size and finesse into a team built around aging veterans.
Adding Vucevic would complement the leadership and scoring of Curry, Butler, and Horford while addressing their rebounding and interior issues.How Each Side Benefits from the TradeNikola Vucevic (Image via Getty) Golden State Warriors: Vucevic would give the team a reliable interior scorer and rebounder while stretching the floor with his three-point shooting.
His ability to score in the post and from beyond the arc would open up more space for Curry and Butler, making Golden States offense even more unpredictable. The addition would also lighten the load on Horford, who is nearing 40. Chicago Bulls: The Bulls would gain a youthful cornerstone in Kuminga and potentially additional assets or salary relief.
Moving Vucevic before his contract expires allows Chicago to focus on a rebuild centered around its younger players, providing flexibility for future trades or free-agent pursuits. Nikola Vucevic: A trade to Golden State would give Vucevic a legitimate chance to compete for a title. Surrounded by experienced stars and a system emphasizing ball movement and spacing, his offensive skill set would be fully maximized.
Curry, Butler, and Horford: The Golden State Warriors veteran trio would benefit from Vucevics presence inside. Curry and Butler would find clearer lanes to drive, and Horford would have the luxury of reduced minutes while maintaining frontcourt depth and leadership balance.Pros and Cons of the Trade Landing NikolaProCon Warriors add size, shooting, and veteran IQ Lose young upside, especially in Kuminga Vucevics shooting improves spacing for Curry and Butler Defense and age could be issues against elite bigs Bulls accelerate rebuild and gain cap space Short-term competitiveness takes a hit Dual-big lineups with Horford and Vucevic add flexibility Integrating Vucevic mid-season could disrupt chemistry Warriors gain control over Vucevics expiring contract Salary risk if Vucevic declines or departs in free agencyKey Player BreakdownGolden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) is congratulated by forward Draymond Green after making a 3-point basket during the second half of an NBA play-in tournament basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies in San Francisco, Tuesday, April 15, 2025.
(Image via AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)PlayerAge2024-25 PPGRPGAPG3P%Contract Status Nikola Vucevic 34 18.5 10.1 3.5 40.2 Final year, $21.5M Jonathan Kuminga 23 14.7 4.9 2.0 32.1 Restricted FA (2026) Stephen Curry 37 26.0 4.4 5.6 41 2 years left Jimmy Butler 36 18.7 5.7 4.9 37.7 2 years left Al Horford 39 9.
0 6.2 2.1 44.6 1 year leftNikola Vucevic continues to rank among the leagues premier stretch centers, averaging a double-double while shooting over 40% from three-point range. Kuminga, though less proven, represents explosive potential with room to grow into a more consistent two-way player. Jimmy Butler and Stephen Curry remain the teams offensive engines, while Horfords defensive instincts and experience continue to provide stability even as his offensive role declines.
If the trade materializes, the Golden State Warriors would clearly be signaling an all-in push for another championship during the Curry-Butler era. Adding Nikola Vucevic would strengthen their lineup both offensively and strategically, providing balance to a roster reliant on veteran leadership and perimeter play.
The move could elevate Golden State into the Western Conferences top tier, at least in the short term.For Chicago, this would be a smart long-term decision. Moving Nikola Vucevic now allows them to reset with younger, more dynamic talent, creating cap space and flexibility for future moves. Its a trade that reflects both teams priorities: the Golden State Warriors chasing another ring, and the Bulls preparing for a new era.
Also read: NBA Trade Rumors: Los Angeles Lakers May Sign $4,878,938 Utah Jazz Star to Pair with Luka Doncic via Blockbuster DealUltimately, Golden State gains the most immediate value - Nikola Vucevics shooting, size, and veteran poise could transform them into serious title contenders once again. But the Bulls may win the long game by investing in youth and rebuilding a sustainable core for the future.
