Nikola Vucevic is kind of a walking contradiction right now. If you look at the Nikola Vucevic last 10 games log, you see a guy who is still putting up numbers that most centers in this league would kill for. He's hovering around a double-double. He’s stretching the floor. He’s passing the rock like a guard. Yet, there’s this weird tension in Chicago. The Bulls are stuck in that "play-in tournament or bust" purgatory, and Vooch is sitting right in the middle of it with an expiring $21.5 million contract.
Honestly, it's a bit of a roller coaster.
One night he’s looking like an All-Star against the Mavericks, and the next, he’s struggling to move his feet on defense while the Bulls get scorched by a younger, faster squad. If you're a Bulls fan, you’ve probably spent the last two weeks toggling between "we have to trade him before he walks for nothing" and "wait, who else is going to give us 18 and 10?"
Let's actually look at what's been happening on the court over this recent stretch.
Vucevic Last 10 Games: The Statistical Breakdown
Over the last 10 games, Vucevic has been surprisingly steady despite the chaos around him. With guys like Josh Giddey and Coby White dealing with nagging injuries (hamstring and calf issues, respectively), Vooch has had to shoulder a much heavier offensive load.
Take a look at the January 11th win against Dallas. He put up 15 points and 12 boards. More importantly, he looked like the "adult in the room," as some analysts put it, taking advantage of a Mavericks frontcourt that was missing Anthony Davis. He controlled the paint. He didn't force much. He just did Vooch things.
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But then you look at the Detroit game on January 8th. He dropped 20 points and grabbed 16 rebounds. Huge night, right? Except the Bulls lost by 15. That’s sort of been the story of this 10-game stretch—solid individual production that doesn't always translate to the "W" column.
The Trend: In his last 11 games specifically, he’s averaging roughly 18.3 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists. He’s also knocking down nearly two triples a game.
Those aren't just "good for a vet" numbers. They are high-level starting center numbers. He’s shooting over 50% from the floor and about 39% from deep on the season. In an era where every team wants a "five" who can space the floor, Vucevic is basically a cheat code on that end.
The Defensive Elephant in the Room
We have to talk about the defense. It’s the reason his name is constantly in trade rumors. In the last 10 games, opponents have continued to attack Vucevic in the pick-and-roll. He’s 35 years old. The lateral quickness isn't what it used to be. While he’s still a great defensive rebounder, he’s not exactly a rim protector.
He’s averaging only 0.4 blocks per game. For a guy who's 6'10", that tells you a lot about how he plays. He’s a positional defender, not a vertical one. When the Bulls play teams with hyper-athletic guards—think of that 136-101 blowout loss to Minnesota on December 30th—Vooch can look a step slow.
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Why These 10 Games Matter for the Trade Deadline
The Nikola Vucevic last 10 games stretch is essentially a long-form audition. The NBA trade deadline is February 5th, and the Bulls are sitting at 18-20. They are at a crossroads.
There are basically three paths here:
- The "Sell High" Move: A contender like the Thunder or even the Mavericks (who saw him up close recently) decides they need his floor spacing and rebounding for a playoff run. They send back a protected first-round pick and a matching salary.
- The Extension: Reports from ClutchPoints suggest Billy Donovan and the front office still "value" Vooch’s professionalism. There’s a world where they keep him and try to sign him to a cheaper, team-friendly deal in the summer.
- The Nightmare Scenario: They keep him, miss the playoffs, and he walks for free in July because he wants to play for a ring.
Vucevic himself has dropped hints lately. He’s mentioned that competing for a championship is becoming more important as he enters the "Year 16" territory of his career. He knows he’s not the future of a rebuild.
A Quick Look at the Game Log
- Jan 11 vs. DAL: 15 pts, 12 reb, 3 ast. Solid double-double in a win.
- Jan 8 @ DET: 20 pts, 16 reb, 4 ast. Monster stats, but a frustrating loss.
- Jan 6 @ BOS: 15 pts, 15 reb, 7 ast. Nearly a triple-double against the champs.
- Jan 4 vs. CHA: 28 pts, 7 reb, 8 ast. Matched his season high in scoring.
- Jan 3 vs. ORL: 17 pts, 10 reb, 5 ast. Efficient night against his former team.
It’s the consistency that kills you. He rarely has a "bad" offensive game. Even when his shot isn't falling, he finds ways to facilitate. He had 7 assists against Boston. Seven! That’s elite for a center.
The Reality of the "Vooch" Experience
If you're looking at the Nikola Vucevic last 10 games to decide if he’s still "good," the answer is an easy yes. He’s a top-12 center in this league based purely on offensive output and rebounding.
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The problem isn't Vucevic. The problem is the fit. The Bulls are trying to get younger with Matas Buzelis and Ayo Dosunmu, but they are still leaning on a 35-year-old center to bail them out of possessions.
It’s also worth noting that the Bulls have had some weird luck lately. That January 8th game against the Heat was postponed because the ice under the court at the United Center started melting. Seriously. You can't make this stuff up. It’s just another strange chapter in a season that feels like it’s waiting for a reset button.
What Should You Watch For Next?
If you’re tracking Vooch for fantasy or just as a Bulls fan, keep an eye on his usage rate. With Coby White and Josh Giddey coming back into the fold, Vucevic might see fewer shots, but his efficiency usually goes up when he's the third option instead of the first.
Also, watch the "minutes played" stat. He’s been averaging about 32-34 minutes lately because of the injuries. If that number stays high, expect the double-doubles to keep rolling in.
The next few weeks will decide the next three years for this franchise. If Vucevic keeps playing at this level, his trade value will never be higher. But if the Bulls decide to keep him, they are betting on his veteran leadership to guide a youth movement that honestly looks like it might be ready to move on.
Next Steps for Following the Bulls:
- Check the injury report for Coby White and Josh Giddey before every game; their presence directly impacts Vucevic's assist totals and shot volume.
- Monitor the February 5th trade deadline rumors specifically via Marc Stein or Adrian Wojnarowski, as Vucevic’s expiring contract makes him a prime candidate for a "salary dump plus assets" move.
- Watch his defensive matchups against high-pace teams; if he continues to struggle in transition, expect his trade value to contenders to dip slightly as they weigh his offensive perks against defensive liabilities.