The Lakers have made their biggest needs known throughout this season: a defensive-minded center, a 3-and-D wing, and an athletic point-of-attack guard. All of the rumors seem to place them in the mix of trading for players that fit at least one of those categories. One insider has confirmed their interest in an experienced center on a roster currently bound for the Play-in Tournament.
Lakers Trade Rumors: LA Interested in Two-Time All-Star
Lakers Linked to Another Bulls Veteran
The Lakers and Bulls meet again in the world of trade rumors. This time, ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel has revealed the Lakers are among the teams eyeing veteran big man Nikola Vucevic.
“Vucevic has drawn more interest than LaVine this season due to his significantly smaller contract. The 34-year-old center is viewed by many organizations as the best frontcourt talent available on the trade market right now. The Warriors, Lakers, Pelicans, and Detroit Pistons have all expressed interest in Vucevic, sources said. It is worth noting that the Milwaukee Bucks and San Antonio Spurs have previously held interest in Vucevic before this season.”
The 34-year-old—who spent three years at USC before going 16th overall in the 2011 NBA Draft—has remained an effective presence for Chicago. In 27 games this season, Vucevic is averaging 20.9 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 0.8 blocks on .592/.480/.857 splits. He’s also recorded 16 double-doubles this year, including a 16-point, 14-rebound performance against the Boston Celtics on Friday. His ability to space the floor is just as impressive, as his 48% mark from three comes on an average of 2.2 made triples per game (5th among centers).
The Lakers’ interest in Vooch makes sense, and it goes beyond any SoCal ties. The Swiss center’s scoring average is eighth in the league among bigs. His current numbers are also not far off from his All-Star seasons in 2019 and 2021, a testament to his consistency and effort at this stage in his career. His scoring prowess was on display a couple of weeks ago against the Spurs, when he finished with a season-high 39 points, along with eight rebounds and five assists.
Another Target for Lakers to Ponder
Vucevic is a solid target for the Lakers to pursue as a big who can score from the paint and perimeter while rebounding, defending, and passing at a high level. It’s clear the Bulls will be sellers at the deadline, trying to unload the contracts of Vucevic and Zach LaVine that have been on the trading block for “over a year,” according to Siegel.
Compared to LaVine’s contract, Vucevic’s deal may be easier to stomach for the Lakers and others eyeing a trade for him. He’s in the second year of a three-year, $60 million contract, earning $20 million this season before his salary jumps to $21.5 million in 2025-26. Additionally, his reported asking price is a little less than LA’s other targets: two second-round picks. The Lakers have five second-rounders to move on from at their disposal, along with several players to package in a trade.
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Vucevic is the latest addition to a long list of centers on LA’s radar. Other recent reports have linked the Lakers to Jonas Valanciunas (LA is viewed as the “favorite” to land him), Robert Williams III, and even Clint Capela. All of them are notable starting bigs who would, in theory, fare well alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis and plug holes in the Lakers’ frontcourt. Time will tell if the Lakers’ interest in Vucevic leads to negotiations, but the former All-Star is a good name to target ahead of the February deadline.
