The Los Angeles Lakers‘ offseason roster-building project has yielded positive results. With the addition of players such as Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart, the Lakers have addressed two of their biggest concerns. However, with title contention being a priority, the Purple and Gold have reportedly been keeping an eye on Chicago Bulls big man Nikola Vucevic.
Recent reports have suggested that the Lakers have been monitoring the situations of several teams, with the Bulls drawing particular attention due to their situation with Vucevic. ClutchPoints’ Anthony Irwin reported this when he wrote:
“This does leave a few interesting free agents still, not even including eventual buyout candidates like Chicago’s Nikola Vucevic. As they did with Smart, the Lakers are closely monitoring that situation.”
Vucevic’s name has been frequently mentioned in recent reports. While the Bulls have been willing to trade him, there has been very little interest in potential negotiations.
Due to the lack of trade interest in the two-time All-Star, reports claim that Chicago will consider midseason buyout options, effectively making him a free agent at a pivotal point in the season.
The lack of interest in Vucevic is quite surprising, primarily due to what he is capable of bringing to the table. Even at 34 years old, the Bulls center has proven to be a formidable big man, at least on the offensive end of the floor.
His greatest asset has been his versatility. At 6’10”, Vucevic possesses the skill set of a traditional center, while also having the shooting ability to space the floor like a modern-day big man.
Last season, Vucevic was the primary offensive option in the Bulls’ frontcourt. Shouldering the responsibility of scoring for his team, he put up impressive averages of 18.5 points and 10.1 rebounds, while shooting 53.0% from the field and 40.2% from three-point range.
While a trade is possible, the Lakers would benefit more by acquiring him through a buyout, avoiding the need to give up valuable assets. Should the team succeed in signing him, they would undoubtedly strengthen their frontcourt depth.
The Lakers’ current big man rotation is headlined by Ayton. When considering Ayton’s style of play and how it complements Luka Doncic, it is unlikely that he would be replaced by Vucevic in the starting rotation.
In this regard, having the 34-year-old anchor the second unit as the primary scoring option would be a massive boost to the team.
The Lakers’ offseason efforts have undoubtedly helped the Purple and Gold create a more balanced roster, but they aren’t necessarily good enough to be considered title contenders, especially given the depth of the Western Conference.
This increases the need for additional moves, whether via trade or midseason signings. The buyout market has presented an intriguing method for teams to acquire some extremely capable veterans at discounted prices, and the Lakers have made good use of it.
The single challenge with completing this signing stems from the team’s limited cap space. While a veteran minimum deal would still be possible, it may not be enough to sign Vucevic.
Given his skill set, the Bulls’ big man will find several suitors when he eventually becomes a free agent. Teams like the Golden State Warriors and the Detroit Pistons may present more tempting offers, owing to their available cap space.
