Bulls All-Star Nikola Vucevic wants to end his career in the EuroLeague

Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic, who will enter his 14th NBA season in 2024-25, is open to a return to the EuroLeague once his opportunities in the United States are exhausted.

The 2.08-meter-tall man, whose parents are Montenegrin but grew up mainly in Switzerland and Belgium, began his professional career with Montenegrin club Budućnost Podgorica during the 2011–12 Eurocup season.

In an interview with Iva Jevtic of B92 (hats off to Basket News for the translation), Vucevic highlighted one franchise in particular as his preferred destination after the NBA: Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade.

“I would like to play in the NBA as long as possible. It is the best league with the best players and conditions,” said Vucevic. “At the moment I am not thinking about returning to Europe. If it ever happens, Crvena Zvezda would be the main favorite, but a lot of things would have to come together for that to happen.”

Vucevic is currently due $41.5 million over the next two seasons with the Bulls, which would put him in Year 15 in the league. He was relatively productive and healthy for Chicago last year, but his decline as a shooter and lack of speed or verticality have made him something of an albatross.

In 76 healthy games for the 39-43 Bulls, the veteran center averaged 18.0 points on .484/.294/.822 hitting percentage, 10.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 0.8 blocks and 0.7 steals per night.

It’s no secret that Chicago team president Arturas Karnisovas wants to get rid of both Vucevic and his former two-time All-Star shooting guard Zach LaVine, even if it’s a little difficult due to the team’s generous contracts.

Read more: Bulls still want to give up two experienced All-Stars

“I am a big fan of Crvena Zvezda,” Vucevic revealed. “I follow both Crvena Zvezda and Partizan and watch a lot of EuroLeague. As for Crvena Zvezda, they had a great season,” Vucevic said. “They managed to win all the trophies. Their performance in the EuroLeague did not quite live up to expectations, but that’s okay.”

“I think this year’s team is better and better positioned,” Vucevic continued. “As a fan, of course I would like them to win all those trophies again and have a better result in the EuroLeague. I think that would mean a lot and raise the perception to an even higher level.”

A two-time All-Star with the Orlando Magic, Vucevic has declined in recent seasons with the Bulls. A high-level passer and solid rebounder, Vucevic was once a legitimate option to play on the court.

In the 2020-21 season, which he split between Chicago and Orlando, the USC product converted 40.0 percent of his 6.3 three-point attempts per night. Last year, Vucevic shot just 29.4 percent on 4.1 attempts from distance.