Butler thriving in a jersey he swore to never wear

The Chicago Bulls and Nikola Vucevic have agreed to a three-year, $60 million extension.

Vucevic appeared in all 82 games in 22-23, averaging 17.6 points, 11.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 33.5 minutes per game.

The Bulls acquired Vucevic in 2021 for a package that included Wendell Carter Jr. and the picks that became Franz Wagner and Jett Howard.

Vucevic is represented by Rade Filipovich and Bill Duffy.

Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane missed 17 games earlier this season due to a right big toe injury. Bane revealed on JJ Redick’s “Old Man and the Three” podcast that the injury won’t fully heal until after the season.

“That’s something I’ll probably have to get taken care of in the offseason,” Bane said. “You never know how much you need to use your big toe until you can’t use it.”

Bane spoke about how he had to see multiple doctors and specialists before being diagnosed with a bone injury. He also said his right sesamoid bone is still in two pieces. That’s led the Grizzlies guard to wearing different sneakers to help alleviate his pain. But Bane said things are going well with his toe.

“I’m glad that it is doing as well as it’s been,” Bane said after Friday’s practice. “I feel like I’m in a good spot and trending in the right direction.”