Los Angeles Lakers Rumors: Team interested in Nikola Vucevic

Recent Los Angeles Lakers rumors involve potential free agent targets, as the team is reportedly interested in center, Nikola Vucevic.

Los Angeles Lakers rumors have begun ramping up with free agency just days away. Los Angeles has already made a big splash, finally agreeing to a deal that will land Anthony Davis in Hollywood. It cost the Lakers a lot, as they will now have to get creative in filling out the remainder of the roster.

The Lakers are still trying to open up a max cap spot. Whether or not they accomplish that, they are going to be looking to make a splash in free agency.

Since the reported acquisition of Davis, there have been Lakers rumors involving players such as Kemba Walker, Kyrie Irving and Jimmy Butler. Walker and Butler emerged as the priorities for Los Angeles, while Irving has expressed an interest in teaming up with Davis.

A healthy debate could be had about whether or not the team should spend all of their money on one player or spread it out among multiple. Spreading it out seems like the smart thing to do as they have only five players currently under contract and selected one player, Talen Horton-Tucker in the 2019 NBA Draft.

In addition to those max players mentioned, another player to keep an eye on is Nikola Vucevic of the Orlando Magic.

Vucevic is entering free agency after spending the last seven seasons with the Orlando Magic after playing his rookie season with the Philadelphia 76ers. Over that time, Vucevic has developed into quite the player.

He made his first All-Star team this past year, averaging career-highs with 20.8 points, 12 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. He also averaged one steal and 1.1 blocks per game as well. Vucevic has also turned himself into a solid 3-point shooter, knocking down 36.4 percent of his attempts in 2018-19.

More from Lake Show Life

• Darvin Ham adds to Max Christie hype train after Lakers preseason opener
• Is LeBron James playing tonight? Latest Lakers vs Warriors update
• Can Darvin Ham put all of the Lakers puzzle pieces together?
• Lakers news: Darvin Ham knows his fifth starter, LeBron James and Rui Hachimura, Jalen Hood-Schifino praise
• Michael Malone’s painfully ironic comment has Lakers fans heated

The former USC Trojan picked a great time to have a career season. He not only made the All-Star game with career stats, he helped get the Magic back into the playoffs, even winning Game 1 against the eventual champion Toronto Raptors in the first round.

Vucevic will have no shortage of suitors come free agency, and the Lakers will reportedly be one of the teams pursuing him. Adrian Wojnarowski shared the news during the 2019 NBA Draft telecast.

"“Orlando and Vucevic… there’s a lot of motivation for those two sides to get a deal done. Vucevic has wanted to stay there. Both the Celtics and Lakers are potential landing spots for Vucevic if he doesn’t get a deal done with the Magic.”"

The Lakers look like they will be battling it out with their long-time rivals in the Boston Celtics once again. Those two teams were the last running in the Davis sweepstakes as well; can Los Angeles make it two-for-two against them this offseason?

While those are the only two teams mentioned by Woj, the Magic will undoubtedly work hard to retain him after the successful season they just had. Teams such as the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers and New Orleans Pelicans could also get involved as they all have max cap space available.

Vucevic would be a strong addition as he would push Anthony Davis to power forward. That could benefit Davis and the Lakers, as the wear and tear would be lower on him not being the sole big man on the court at all times.

However, spending all of their free agent money on a center may not be the best idea. While finding a starting center to pair with Davis makes sense, the roster is sorely lacking backcourt options currently.

Isaac Bonga is the only player that wouldn’t be considered a forward or center on the roster right now. Spending all of their money on another frontcourt player would not make for great roster balance.

It will be interesting to see how free agency plays out. If Los Angeles could sign someone such as Vucevic for less than a max, they should jump at that chance. But, it is unlikely Vucevic would go for that, as he will likely receive the max from someone, whether it be the Magic or another team mentioned.

While Vucevic would be a great addition to the team, the Lakers would be better off spending that money elsewhere.