Warriors may miss out on chance to trade for former All-Star center

NBA: Chicago Bulls at Golden State Warriors
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The Golden State Warriors could give the Chicago Bulls what they want for their former All-Star center Nikola Vucevic, but their willingness or lack thereof to spend his asking price could cost them the opportunity.

Warriors hung up on asking price for Bulls’ Nikola Vucevic

According to Michael Saenz of Sir Charles in Charge, the Warriors may not want to cough up first-round picks to bring Vucevic on board:

“According to a recent report, the Warriors are only willing to offer second-round pick draft compensation at the moment. The Bulls are looking for a first-round pick for their big man. As the two sides continue to negotiate, you can’t help but wonder if this lowballing is going to end up backfiring on the Warriors,” Saenz wrote.

Nikola Vucevic, Knicks, Warriors
Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Reservations that Golden State may have are warranted. While Vucevic is a perennial threat to average 20 points and 10 rebounds a season, the Montenegrin big man is not an elite defender or rim-protector and is approaching his age-35 season in the league.

Warriors: Trade for Vucevic has positives and negatives

The Warriors have continually been vocal about their unwillingness to compromise their future assets for short-term success. Vucevic could easily be the team’s third premier scorer that they greatly need and service their interior well. However, how many more years he has left playing at this level is unknown.

The two-time All-Star is earning $20 million for this season and is set to earn $21.48 million next season in the final year of his contract. Thus, Golden State could give up one of the six first-rounders that they have between now and 2031 to strengthen their chances of winning a championship this season or next. However, with the way things have been going for them this season, the

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