Report: Bulls center Vučević is ‘most discussed’ Warriors trade target originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
The Warriors trade for Jimmy Butler, disgruntled Heat star is becoming increasingly unlikely for a number of reasons, including cultural fit and his contract, The Athletic’s contract. Marcus Thompson, Sam Amick and Anthony Slater ” reported, citing team and league sources.
Friday evening, Miami announced that Butler had been suspended for seven games for “multiple instances of conduct detrimental to the team” after admitting he “probably” couldn’t find joy with the Heat, and the team acknowledged it was willing to listen to offers for the 35-year-old.
Where things went wrong between Butler and the team he helped reach the NBA Finals just two seasons ago comes around his next contractnoted Thompson, Amick and Slater, in which Butler was pushing for a max extension this offseason, but the Heat made it clear that was not in their plans.
That specific reason led to a lot of hesitation on the part of the Warriors and “wasn’t palatable” for the team, Thompson, Amick and Slater reported, citing team and league sources. In the past, Golden State has been more attracted to players with mid-tier contracts, which leads to two more likely trade targets.
Brooklyn Nets forward Cam Johnson has been the talk of the trade city and would fill a needed void for the Warriors. He makes $22.5 million this season, $20.5 million next and $22.5 million the next. But Golden State isn’t the only one calling, as teams such as the Sacramento Kings and Oklahoma City Thunder have applied more pressure on the 28-year-old, Thompson, Slater and Amick wrote.
He was Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vučević who has become the Warriors’ “most talked-about” trade target, Thompson, Amick and Slater reported, citing team and league sources.
Vučević would fill a huge need for the Warriors who have long been looking for a true center. In 33 games this season, Vučević is averaging 20.3 points on 55.9% shooting from the field and 44% from 3-point range (on 4.8 attempts), with 10.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists. in 32.2 minutes.
The two-time NBA All-Star earns $20 million this season and $21.4 million next season. Golden State has several smaller contracts that it could stack together to reach that number, such as Gary Payton II’s $9.1 million, Buddy Hield or Kyle Anderson’s $8.7 million and/or dollars by Kevon Looney.
While Vučević may not move the needle like Butler could, the 6-foot-10 big man might be a better overall fit for what Golden State currently needs entering a pivotal time of the season for maintain its deep playoff hopes.
