{"id":84509,"date":"2026-02-03T17:57:34","date_gmt":"2026-02-03T20:57:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/center-nikola-vucevic-knows-bulls-need-more-help\/"},"modified":"2026-02-03T17:57:36","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T20:57:36","slug":"center-nikola-vucevic-knows-bulls-need-more-help","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/en\/center-nikola-vucevic-knows-bulls-need-more-help\/","title":{"rendered":"Center Nikola Vucevic knows Bulls need more help"},"content":{"rendered":"


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MIAMI \u2014 Veteran Bulls center Nikola Vucevic usually stays neutral when it comes to questions from reporters about his future or the Bulls\u2019 in general. But being on the bad end of a beatdown in Miami on Sunday \u2014 one that saw the Bulls trailing the Heat by as many as 54 points before losing 134-91 \u2014 is enough to get anyone to open up more.<\/p>\n

Asked after the game about the state of the roster with the trade deadline coming up Thursday, and what the rest of the season might look like if the front office does or doesn\u2019t make a move, Vucevic made it clear the idea of the Bulls (27-24) participating in the play-in tournament for a fourth straight year doesn\u2019t sit well.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think there are certain things that this team needs to take the next step, but we\u2019ll see what happens [at the deadline],\u201d Vuce-vic said. \u201cIf nothing happens, then it\u2019s on us to try and figure it out and get there. You know, it\u2019s not fun when you\u2019re in the same position year after year, and especially when you can\u2019t get out of that play-in [and] you get stuck behind Miami every time. But, yeah, I think this team does need some things that can definitely help us to go forward, take that next step.\u201d<\/p>\n

Any specifics of what that might be?<\/p>\n

\u201cMainly, we need some size and athleticism,\u201d Vucevic said. \u201cWe\u2019re pretty undersized at most positions. I think that\u2019s it \u2014 that would be the main thing. Because the way the league is right now [where] a lot of teams have these big wings, I think that\u2019s something that can definitely help us if we add some of that. Just the way the game has changed, the way the game has evolved, most teams, their two, three and four are 6-8, 6-9, and we don\u2019t really have that.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Sun-Times previously reported that Arturas Karnisovas, the Bulls\u2019 executive vice president of basketball operations, has inquired about Rockets forward Tari Eason (6-8), Pelicans center Yves Missi (6-11) and Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (6-6).<\/p>\n

For now, the hope is that 6-11 journeyman forward\/center Dario Saric, acquired from the Kings on Sunday as part of a three-team deal, can bring something to the mix.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know him pretty well,\u201d Vucevic said. \u201cHe\u2019s from the same region [of Europe]. I met him when he came to the NBA [in 2016], but I watched him when he was younger, too. .\u2009.\u2009.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a very good guy, knows how to play. He\u2019s a high-IQ player, experienced, been around the playoffs, been around winning teams, so from that standpoint, it will help us a lot and gives us even more size. The injuries have hit the center position, so he can help.\u201d<\/p>\n

Zach Collins has been dealing with an injured big toe since late December and still has no estimated return date. Jalen Smith, while productive, also has missed some games because of calf and hamstring issues and a concussion.<\/p>\n

The Bulls have embraced a two-big lineup, but lately it has looked more like 1\u2009\u00bd.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve shown throughout the year that when we\u2019ve played big, it\u2019s been pretty good for us,\u201d Vucevic said. \u201cIt\u2019s unfortunate that Zach got hurt because I felt like we had a really good thing going. But hopefully with Dario, we can get him in, try and use some of that big lineup and see where that goes. I think he can fit in really well with the way we want to play.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Things continue to be fluid as the NBA trade deadline approaches. <\/p>\n

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