With the NBA Summer League over, the free agency market has more or less dried out, but LA Lakers and Golden State Warriors aren’t satisfied yet.
The competition in the Western Conference will be as cutthroat as it can get during the 2025-26 NBA season.
Evidently, each team in the conference has made a plethora of moves, including the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers’ most notable additions are Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart.
However, the Purple and Gold could finally get a chance to sign one of their most-sought-after targets in recent years. Yes, it’s none other than Chicago Bulls star Nikola Vucevic.
During the 2024-25 NBA season, Vucevic averaged a solid 18.5 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game for the Bulls.
However, it’s obvious that the Bulls are making an effort to get younger, as Vucevic is one of the two players who are above 28 years old on the roster.
While the easiest way for the Bulls to part ways with the 34-year-old would be via trade, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer, there’s no interest in Vucevic’s services on the trade market.
“There hasn’t been much of a market for Nikola Vucevic all along, dating back to last trade deadline,” Fischer said, via Bleacher Report.
So, what’s next for him? Well, Fischer suggests a midseason buyout is more likely than anything else for Vucevic.
“I think at this juncture, we’re probably more likely to see a Nikola Vucevic buyout midseason than we are to see a trade,” he added.
Considering the Lakers have been incredibly active on the buyout market, the Purple and Gold are easily a top destination for Vucevic.
The Lakers will likely face competition from the Golden State Warriors for the services of the soon-to-be 35-year-old star, if he completes a buyout.
It’s already obvious from what NBA fans are saying on X.
“This has Warriors written all over it,” a fan wrote. While another added: “Lakers got their backup center! Same agent as Luka too.”
“Laker that man immediately,” a third fan added.
“He’s better than Horford,” a Warriors fan wrote.
“Welcome to the Lakers,” a fifth fan announced.
Dub Nation isn’t only interested in Vucevic; they believe he’s better than Al Horford, who has been linked to the Warriors throughout the offseason.
It will be interesting to see where Vucevic ends up. But so far, he’s expected to start the season with the Bulls.
