With just under six minutes to go and a 12-point lead in hand, the Chicago Bulls looked like they were on cruise control. But if we've learned anything about this Bulls team - and the young, relentless Utah Jazz - it's that no lead is ever truly safe.
What unfolded in the final minutes was a wild finish that nearly saw Chicago fumble away another game to Utah. Instead, they held on - barely - thanks to a mix of hustle, poise, and one very timely bucket from a veteran big man who's quietly having one of the most productive stretches of his career.
Let’s rewind.
Chicago was up 116-104 with 5:31 left. Even as Utah trimmed the lead, the Bulls still held an eight-point edge as the clock ticked under two minutes.
But then Keyonte George took over at the line. The Jazz rookie hit six free throws in less than a minute, part of a furious late push that tied the game at 124 with 58 seconds remaining.
Suddenly, the United Center was holding its breath.
After trading leads again in the final moments, the Bulls turned to Coby White for a potential go-ahead three. It missed, but the play didn’t die there.
Isaac Okoro made a smart hustle play to save the rebound before it went out of bounds and found Tre Jones in the corner. Jones made the extra pass - the kind coaches dream about - to a wide-open Nikola Vučević under the basket.
Vučević calmly laid it in, putting the Bulls back in front for good.
Nikola Vučević: Still Steady, Still Clutch
That game-winner was just the latest reminder of what Vučević brings to the table. At 35 years old and in his 15th NBA season, the veteran center isn’t just hanging around - he’s producing at a level that’s both efficient and impactful. This was his third game-winning shot of the season, and it came at a time when the Bulls needed someone to steady the ship.
Through 39 games, Vučević is averaging 16.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.8 made threes per game. He’s shooting over 50% from the field and nearly 38% from deep.
Those numbers don’t just suggest consistency - they scream it. And in a season that’s seen its share of ups and downs for Chicago, Vučević has been a constant.
But his January numbers? They’ve taken things up a notch.
He’s putting up 20.6 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game this month - the only player in the league currently averaging 20, 10, and 5. He’s doing it while shooting 53.6% from the field and 37.5% from beyond the arc.
That’s not just solid veteran play. That’s All-Star-caliber production, and it’s coming at a time when the Bulls - and other teams around the league - are paying close attention.
Trade Deadline Looms, and Vučević’s Value Is Peaking
Vučević has been a regular name in trade rumors over the years, but this season feels different. With the trade deadline approaching, the combination of his current form and his contract situation makes him one of the most intriguing short-term assets on the market.
He’s on an expiring deal worth $21.5 million, set to hit unrestricted free agency this summer. That puts him firmly in “rental” territory - a veteran who can help a playoff-bound team right now without tying up long-term cap space. It’s the kind of deal contenders love: proven production, low long-term risk.
According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, Vučević is the Bulls’ top trade candidate to watch. Marks pointed to his durability, steady numbers, and that manageable salary - which ranks 14th among starting centers - as reasons he could draw legitimate interest.
And let’s be clear: Vučević is earning that attention. After a strong start to the season gave way to a few uneven months, his recent surge has reignited the conversation around his value. For a Bulls team still figuring out its direction, his play gives them options - whether that means keeping him as a stabilizing force or moving him for future assets.
Either way, Vučević is showing once again why he’s one of the most quietly effective big men in the league. He’s not flashy.
He’s not loud. But when the game’s on the line - like it was against Utah - he’s exactly the kind of player you want on the floor.