With less than two hours to go until this year’s NBA Trade Deadline, there are plenty of teams looking to make moves to bolster their roster. One of those teams looking to make a big trade is the Golden State Warriors. On Wednesday, the Warriors acquired Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat. However, they are not done just yet. Per reports, the Warriors are pursuing Chicago Bulls big man Nikola Vucevic. However, as the clock ticks closer to the deadline, it is looking more unlikely that this trade will happen.
According to Bulls insider K.C. Johnson, there is “no momentum” for a trade that would send Vucevic to Golden State. The two-time All-Star is in the midst of his fifth season in Chicago and is a top trade candidate.
Golden State Warriors Trade Attempt for Nikola Vucevic Receives Concerning Update
Nikola Vucevic Does Not Anticipate a Trade
Despite the rumors, Vucevic has already made it clear that he does not expect a trade away from Chicago, according to the Chicago Tribune’s Julia Poe.
Nikola Vučević said tonight didn’t feel like his last game in a Bulls jersey. Doesn’t expect much to happen before tomorrow’s deadline.
“If I stay here I’ll be happy.”
— Julia Poe (@juliapoe.bsky.social) February 5, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Additionally, Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times previously reported that the Bulls had two trades for Vucevic fall apart. Cowley also reported that there is a better chance the Bulls trade Vucevic in the offseason instead.
“According to multiple sources, Karnisovas had two deals for center Nikola Vucevic fall apart Tuesday, forcing the front office into a complete reset that might result in Vucevic staying with the Bulls for the rest of the season, then being shopped during the summer.”
Golden State Warriors Nearly Made Another Blockbuster Trade
Before landing Butler, the Warriors were close to another major trade. According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the Warriors had “a deal in place” that would have reunited them with Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant. However, Durant said he had no interest in the reunion.
“This was close to being Jimmy Butler in Phoenix and Kevin Durant in Golden State.” 😯
—@WindhorstESPN on Jimmy Butler being traded to Golden State pic.twitter.com/wOXJcSuJBA
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) February 6, 2025
‘This could be qualified as a genuine what-if. There was a deal in place between Golden State, Phoenix, and Miami that would have returned Kevin Durant to Golden State. But Durant stepped out and made it known that he did not want a reunion. And once that deal fell apart Golden State pivoted and tried to get Jimmy Butler. The key that got this done was their willingness to give him that two-year, $111-million extension.’
As the trade deadline approaches, it looks like the Warriors are aggressive in their pursuit of another trade. The Warriors currently own a 25-25 record and own the No. 11 seed in the West. After acquiring Butler, the Warriors are in a better spot to make a second-half push. However, if they want to contend for a title this season, another big trade could prove essential.
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