Nikola Vucevic is expected to be available in the upcoming 2025 offseason. The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to be in the market to acquire one. Would this be a match made in heaven? Well, no, it definitely would not.
Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun Times reported, "The [Chicago] Bulls once again will look to move Vucevic, making room for Zach Collins as the temporary starter or drafting a young rim protector."
Cowley even noted that at this stage of his career, Vucevic is prioritizing a team like the Lakers when considering a new destination. The Bulls insider made note of that at the Bulls exit-meeting interviews.
Vucevic told Cowley, "Obviously, I’m at the stage in my career where I’m trying to win now, play in the playoffs and hopefully have deep playoff runs."
The Lakers certainly fit the bill as a team who align well with the ambitions of the Bulls center. However, there should be enough reason to look elsewhere during this offseason.
Vucevic's fit with the Lakers is underwhelming
There are a couple of thoughts as to why the former All-Star would actually be an attractive addition for the Lakers. With roughly a $21.5 million cap hit for the 2025-26 season, Vucevic would be an easy trade target to match salaries for. His deal would then expire in the 2026 offseason, allowing the Lakers a chance to reset the dollar figure.
Vucevic is also coming off his best season shooting from beyond the arc. The veteran connected on 40.2 percent of his shots from 3-point land. This would bring in some necessary spacing around Luka Doncic and LeBron James.
On the other hand, the reasons quickly start to pile up as to why the Lakers should look at other additions to bolster the frontcourt.
The obvious one here would be Vucevic's age. The two-time All-Star will be 35 years old before the end of 2025. The big splash at the center position should be aligned with the Doncic timeline in Los Angeles, not the short-term window with James still in the fold.
Past that, while Vucevic's struggles defensively have been largely overplayed throughout his career, the advanced age of the big man has contributed to him slowing down on that end. The Lakers would be better-suited for an athletic rim protector at that spot, which Vucevic has never been.
Lastly, sticking with the theme of athleticism, Doncic would find a better pairing with a center who would serve as a lob threat offensively. His track record in Dallas, and even his brief time in Los Angeles elevating Jaxson Hayes, suggests that is the best mold of player at the position to pair with the Lakers superstar.
Vucevic is a productive player and someone who can certainly boost a team looking to compete in the upcoming season. The Bulls center is just not quite the guy to do it for the Lakers.