It’s not a full tank, but they’re also nowhere near contention. Nikola Vucevic has been holding it down, averaging 21.0 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in 22 games. The guy has been solid as always—efficient from the field at 51% and even splashing 34% from deep. But with this roster clearly going nowhere fast, moving him and starting fresh might finally be the right call. The Bulls are stuck in no man’s land. At 15-18 this season, they’re just not getting it done. The Grizzlies, on the other hand, are in a completely different spot. They’ve got Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr., but they need that extra push to compete at the highest level in a brutal Western Conference. Vucevic is exactly the type of player they’re missing. He’s a proven scorer inside and out, he rebounds like crazy, and his ability to pass out of the post fits perfectly with the Grizzlies’ style. Throw Chris Duarte into the mix—a shooter who can defend wings—and you’ve got a pair of additions that make this team a serious threat.

For the Bulls, the package makes sense if they’re finally embracing the rebuild. Marcus Smart is a defensive dog and brings the kind of leadership they’ll need as they transition into a younger core. Jake LaRavia hasn’t fully broken out yet, but he’s got potential as a floor-spacing forward. Add a first-round pick in 2026 and a second-rounder in 2027, and you’ve got a deal that helps them focus on the future. For the Grizzlies, this move is about taking the next step. They keep their core intact and add a big man in Vucevic who fits their win-now mentality. He spaces the floor, crashes the boards, and gives them another offensive weapon to balance out the team. Duarte, meanwhile, provides valuable depth on the wing—a spot where Memphis could use some extra firepower.

This trade is a win-win. The Bulls finally commit to a rebuild, collecting assets and resetting their roster, while the Grizzlies add two players who make them legit contenders in the West. It’s the kind of move that shifts the balance for both teams and pushes Memphis closer to a deep playoff run.