{"id":113478,"date":"2024-12-21T12:34:09","date_gmt":"2024-12-21T17:34:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=113478"},"modified":"2024-12-21T12:34:09","modified_gmt":"2024-12-21T17:34:09","slug":"lakers-trade-rumors-nikola-vucevic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/12\/21\/lakers-trade-rumors-nikola-vucevic\/","title":{"rendered":"Lakers Trade Rumors: LA Interested in Two-Time All-Star"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Lakers have made their <\/span>biggest needs<\/span><\/a> 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lakers Trade Rumors: LA Interested in Two-Time All-Star<\/b><\/h2>\n

Lakers Linked to Another Bulls Veteran<\/b><\/h3>\n

The Lakers and Bulls meet again in the world of trade rumors. This time, ClutchPoints\u2019 Brett Siegel has revealed the <\/span>Lakers<\/span><\/a> are among the teams eyeing veteran big man <\/span>Nikola Vucevic<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>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.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The 34-year-old\u2014who spent <\/span>three years at USC<\/span><\/a> before going 16th overall in the 2011 NBA Draft\u2014has 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\u2019s also recorded <\/span>16 double-doubles this year<\/span><\/a>, including a <\/span>16-point, 14-rebound<\/span><\/a> 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 (<\/span>5th among centers<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>Lakers\u2019 interest in Vooch<\/span><\/a> makes sense, and it goes beyond any SoCal ties. The Swiss center\u2019s scoring average is <\/span>eighth in the league among bigs<\/span><\/a>. 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.<\/span><\/p>\n