Nikola Vučević is a player the Chicago Bulls have made available the past two seasons on the trade market. However, the Bulls have struggled to find a trade partner. Vučević, at the age of 34, is still a very skilled offensive player who can be a key contributor on a contending team. Last season in 73 games, Vucevic averged 18.5 points, 10.1 rebounds, shot 40% from three, and 53% from the field per contest.

In a post on X NBA analyst Jake Weibach broke down his prediction for where Nikola Vučević could land via trade.

“The market for Nikola Vučević has been quiet up to this point, but the Pistons are an intriguing team that could emerge as an under-the-radar suitor for Chicago’s skillful center. Detroit would value an experienced stretch five of Vučević’s skill set, and the 2x All-Star would be capable of playing alongside Jalen Duren in potential double big lineups.

“If there’s genuine interest, the Pistons can approach the Bulls with a proposal centered around 24-year-old center Isaiah Stewart in a straightforward swap deal. Vučević will be entering next season on a $21.4M expiring contract, which means swapping Stewart for the veteran big man in this scenario could create cap flexibility for Detroit in 2026 as well.”

The Detroit Pistons were one of the more surprising teams in the NBA this last season, going from one of the worst teams in the NBA to finishing 44-38 and sixth place in the East. The team grew as a whole. Franchise star Cade Cunningham elevated his game, becoming an All-Star for the first time in his career this season.

The more shooters Detroit can throw around Cade, the better this Piston offense will be, adding one of the best shooting bigs in the NBA and a former All-Star. Nikola Vučević would make the Pistons a top team in a wide-open East. The Bulls, within this scenario, would get a center (Stewart), filling a desperate need for a tough and gritty post player. This is a win-win for both teams. We could see a USC Trojan being a key factor in the Eastern Conference playoffs next season.

This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: NBA trade rumors swirl around USC’s Nikola Vučević, Detroit Pistons