Chicago Bulls C Nikola Vucevic surprisingly finished the 2020-21 NBA season as one of the top 10 options on the ESPN Fantasy Player Rater, but many expected his usage, and thus his fantasy basketball value, to decline this season. It has since the Bulls added SG/SF DeMar DeRozan and PG Lonzo Ball in the off-season to go with SG/SF Zach LaVine in a star-studded lineup. Vucevic struggled with his shooting early this season, his scoring and efficiency way down, and fantasy managers were anxious to remind me how my aggressive second-round Vucevic ranking looked silly.
Things do not look so silly now, however, as Vucevic has stepped up and again become a dominant fantasy option. In fact, he finished his January among the top-5 options on the Player Rater over that period, averaging 18.4 PPG, 11.3 RPG and 3.8 APG for the month, hitting nearly 49% of his field goals and more than 90% of his free throws. He also averaged better than a steal, block and 3-pointer per game, the rare unicorn trifecta for anyone, especially centers. Put simply, Vucevic is a prime trade target in fantasy basketball and again a top-20 option.
DeRozan and LaVine average better than 50 PPG between them. They make the highlight plays and garner the All-Star attention, but Vucevic has again become - believe it, or not! - the team's top fantasy option because he does more things. He does everything! Vucevic is the lone Bull averaging more than Ball's 5.4 RPG, so that particular aspect of his game is clearly safe on this team, and he is the lone member of the league's double-digit rebound club (12 players) attempting five 3-pointers per game. His percentage there is down, but his overall usage is up of late.
Fantasy managers likely shied away from Vucevic back on draft day due to fear of him getting lost in Chicago's offense, and early on that may have been the case. The offense did not run through him, as it did with the Orlando Magic, and he forced myriad shots. All is certainly well now. Vucevic dropped 24 points on Portland on Sunday and hit 11 of his 15 field goals, while garnering double-digit defensive rebounds for the fifth time in six games. He is "the rebounder" on this team, even if plays the post on offense, awaiting kick-outs for open 3-pointers, and his assists are up lately as well.
Even if Chicago adds reinforcement prior to the approaching trade deadline, it will likely come in the form of a role player. Defensive-minded SF Derrick Jones Jr. (finger) and PG/SG Alex Caruso (wrist) are currently out. Veteran SG Javonte Green returned from a groin injury last week and played solid minutes as a starter. The Bulls could use more depth, but it will not affect Vucevic. His role is set. Go get this top-20 fantasy option - again! - before it is too late.
It is never too late to move on to latest edition of the Trade Index. We will all hear a lot about real-life trades in the next 10 days, right up to the league's trading deadline, but we have plenty of time in the fantasy world. It is a trick! Do not fall for it! Make your deals now!