The Los Angeles Lakers are looking to make a push to bring another championship to LA while Lebron is still playing at as high a level as he is. Anthony Davis isn’t getting any younger and the majority of the role players in LA just aren’t getting it done. Adding another high level player and former all-star to the team should be the number one priority for the Lakers as this season goes on.

For the Bulls, they are in need of a true rebuild and that starts with trading their aging star players. Getting younger talent, as well as draft picks should be priority number one for the Bulls. They need to tear it completely down and start over. This trade both accomplishes this for them as well as getting the Lakers another player that can help propel them towards the top in the West. This is a true win/win for both teams.

Potential Trade:

Los Angeles Lakers: Nikola Vucevic, 2029 2nd Round Pick

Chicago Bulls: Rui Hachimura, Jaxson Hayes, 2029 1st Round Pick

Nikola Vucevic Fit With Lakers

The Lakers have wanted to have Anthony Davis play less center for them since he has been there and they haven’t been able to add someone who has made that move possible. Vucevic would allow Davis to play a lot more PF, while not causing any spacing issues for Davis and Lebron. Vuc is also one of the better distributing bigs in the NBA and would add a good passing big to the Lakers lineup.

Vucevic has also been on fire from the floor so far this season. He is shooting 59% from the floor and 45% from three this season, both career highs. While those numbers might not hold up for an entire season, seeing him get back into form shooting the ball after a down year last year has to alleviate some concerns from the Lakers. He is also averaging over 10 rebounds per game for the Bulls, something that would help the Lakers rebounding woes where they are a bottom four team in the league. Vucevic isn’t a great defender, but with Anthony Davis and Jared Vanderbilt on the team, you can protect him. Vuc is on the books for 23 million dollars next season, but that number is manageable for the Lakers and if he doesn’t work out, would still make him trade-able for them.

Why the Bulls Do This

Despite the Bulls having five wins already and being the six seed in the east right now, the Bulls aren’t truly a contender. They are still a flawed roster that is depending on Zach Lavine staying healthy and Vucevic staying as hot as he has been from the field. Those things aren’t likely and with Vuc being 34, he doesn’t fit their timeline. Rui Hachimura is only 26 years old and could give them wind scoring. He may not be a guy they build around, but he brings scoring and only has one year left on his deal after this season. If they don’t see him in their future, they could move him for more assets in the offseason. Jaxson Hayes is just a salary filler, but he would at least give them a young, athletic big they could give some minutes too. The big thing they get back is the Lakers 2029 first round pick. For a team that is looking at a total rebuild, getting all the picks they can is important. By 2029, Lebron James is likely retired (though at this rate he might not be) and Anthony Davis will be 36 years old. The Lakers also don’t have a lot of picks between now and then to build with. That could be a very good pick. The Lakers would likely try to talk the Bulls into taking a 2nd rounder or multiple 2nd rounders and that could be enough, but if I’m Chicago I’m holding out. Make the Lakers give you what you want, you have the leverage with Vuc having another year on his deal.