Bulls: 2 superstar centers Chicago must keep an eye on for future upgrade over Nikola Vucevic

Bulls star Nikola Vucevic is struggling in 2021-22, and the front office should keep an eye open for a big-time upgrade in the future.

The Chicago Bulls are currently dealing with a massive COVID-19 outbreak that has postponed two of their games. The Bulls reached a whopping 10 players in the NBA's health and safety protocols before the league finally stepped in to give the team a break. One of those players not in protocols is Nikola Vucevic (he dealt with COVID earlier this season), who has been an enigma for Chicago this season.

The Bulls gave up a hefty haul to acquire Vucevic right before last season's trade deadline, but the two-time All-Star hasn't lived up to the billing in 2021-22, at least in terms of scoring. He's averaging just 15.2 points while taking 15.4 shots per game, shooting 40.4% from the field in the process. That number would be a career low by a wide, wide margin.

Vucevic's poor shooting is a mystery, especially considering all of his misses from right around the basket. Chicago is hoping he'll snap out of it at some point and consistently find his rhythm, because he's unlikely to be moved this season. The franchise will need him in order to make a deep playoff run.

However, Vucevic is 31 years old and only has one more season left on his contract after this one. Even if he rounds into form, the Bulls have to be thinking about the future as they look to build a long-term contender.

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On the latest episode of Blue Wire's Cash Considerations podcast, I talked with co-host Ricky O'Donnell about a pair of superstar centers Chicago should be eyeing in the coming years: Nikola Jokic and Karl-Anthony Towns.

Jokic is set to be an unrestricted free agent in 2023, which is right when Vucevic comes off the books. The reigning MVP is the leader of a good Denver Nuggets team, but they've been hit hard by major injuries to key players over the past couple of seasons. If the Nuggets fall short in upcoming postseasons, would Jokic consider leaving for a big market (one with a big Serbian population) to reunite with Arturas Karnisovas? The Bulls must monitor this situation closely. Ironically enough, Vucevic might already be doing some recruiting.

As for KAT, his free agency isn't until 2024, but one has to wonder how long he'll stay with the Minnesota Timberwolves if they don't take any meaningful steps forward soon. Towns will be a player to watch on the trade market in the coming years. Chicago's trade asset base isn't all that big right now, but who knows how things will play out in the coming years.

At the very least, the Bulls must stay ready.