Overview

• Chicago Bulls insider K.C. Johnson and an NBA executive have stated unequivocally that the franchise will not buy out Vucevic’s expiring contract this season.
• NBA insider Jake Fischer and others report that a sparse trade market could force the Bulls to consider a midseason buyout if no deal materializes by February.
• The Los Angeles Lakers are weighing waiving and stretching the salaries of Gabe Vincent or Maxi Kleber to create room under the first apron for a potential Vucevic signing.
• Under CBA rules, teams paying the luxury tax cannot acquire buyout players with prior salaries above $12.5 million, prompting contenders to clear cap space now.
• Vucevic averaged 18.5 points and 10.1 rebounds last season and has publicly expressed his desire to join a championship contender, drawing interest from both NBA clubs and European teams.