The Los Angeles Lakers are in the market for a presence to pair up with Anthony Davis and LeBron James and the team’s pursuit could lead them to make a trade with a former rival: The Chicago Bulls.
And while star guard Zach LaVine has been a Lakers’ target in the past, it stands to reason that Los Angeles should trade for LaVine’s fellow star Nikola Vucevic instead. Vucevic, a two-time All-Star, is currently playing arguably his best basketball as a member of the Bulls since being traded midway through the 2020-21 NBA season.
The 34-year-old is averaging 20.8 points on 58.6 percent shooting from the field and 46.8 percent from beyond the arc, both career highs. He also is averaging 10.1 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game, showing his effectiveness as a scorer and a secondary playmaker at the five if need be.
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What’s more, Vucevic is currently in the second year of a three-year, $60 million extension he signed with Chicago last season. Vucevic is set to make $20 million in the 2024-25 season, with his salary increasing slightly to $21.4 million, making his contract easy to trade for from the Lakers’ standpoint.
Los Angeles has been looking around the league for a serviceable big man to pair alongside Davis, according to Bleacher Report. If the Purple and Gold wanted to trade for the talented offensive presence, it would not cost them a treasure chest, which has been what most teams are asking for their players.
To get Vucevic in Los Angeles, the Lakers would have to part ways with D’Angelo Russell, Christian Wood, and a 2025 draft pick – either a second or first-rounder – per the outlet. And while the trade is a lateral move for the Bulls, it makes sense for what the organization is attempting to do moving forward.
The Los Angeles Lakers could trade for Nikola Vucevic to shore up the frontline next to Anthony Davis (
Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Since head coach Billy Donovan was hired in the 2020-21 season, the Bulls have made the playoffs just once, when Chicago finished with a 46-36 record en route to a first-round exit. At the time, the Bulls had DeMar DeRozan to pair up with LaVine and Vucevic and while those three were talented, Chicago’s window closed very soon after.
DeRozan was traded to the Sacramento Kings and LaVine was at the center of many trade talks as the league prepared for the Bulls to reset and rebuild. If the Bulls trade Vucevic to the Lakers, Chicago would be getting back two expiring contracts and a draft pick to help expedite the rebuild.
With the 34-year-old gone, that allows the Bulls to seriously entertain offers for LaVine, knowing the star guard would want to play elsewhere if he is the only remaining piece left. From the Lakers’ point of view, nabbing someone Vucevic’s caliber could help alleviate the pressure off Davis.
At 31 years old, Davis is averaging a career-high in points per game, putting up 31.2 points. He’s also averaging a career-high in shooting percentage from the field (57.7) and from 3-point land (35.3) showing his evolution as a threat beyond the arc.
Davis’ numbers are expected to go down with Vucevic’s addition, but that helps the star center to rest on that end of the floor while he focuses on the defensive end, where Vucevic’s ability lacks. Although the 34-year-old tries on that end of the floor, Vucevic has never been known to be a strong defensive presence, often choosing to sag on screens or putting up little resistance on drives.
Nevertheless, Los Angeles’ schemes can help hide Vucevic’s defensive deficiencies, provided he gets traded to the City of Angels. For now, it remains to be seen if the Bulls are enticed by the Lakers’ potential offer for their center.
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