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[Jolly Sports News] The Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors are the only two teams this season to pull off significant mid-season trades. The Lakers acquired Dorian Finney-Smith, while the Warriors brought in Dennis Schroder—both from the Brooklyn Nets.
Now, both teams are looking to further strengthen their rosters in pursuit of a deeper playoff push, with Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic reportedly catching their eye.
According to Evan Sidery, Vucevic is a target for both teams, though the Bulls may have to settle for second-round draft picks in return.
“The Lakers and Warriors are viewed as the strongest trade suitors for Nikola Vucevic,” Sidery reported. “Both teams can match Vucevic’s $20 million salary in talks with the Bulls utilizing various contracts. Chicago will likely have to settle for second-round draft capital in a Vucevic deal.”
The 34-year-old center is averaging an impressive 20.2 points and 10.1 rebounds on 42.9% shooting from three this season. While these numbers shine on paper, they’re unlikely to translate at the same level on a contending team.
Vucevic would need to adapt to a more specialized role, serving as a stretch-five rather than a high-volume scorer. This reality, coupled with his $20 million salary running through 2026, is why teams are hesitant to offer a first-round pick.
The Lakers and Warriors each have unique needs for Vucevic. The Warriors’ center rotation has been a weak spot, and Vucevic’s ability to space the floor could address that.
The Lakers, meanwhile, lack depth at center behind Anthony Davis, who prefers playing power forward. Both teams would likely start Vucevic but only within carefully defined roles.
In terms of trade assets, the Warriors might package players such as Kyle Anderson, Kevon Looney, or Gary Payton II. Meanwhile, the Lakers could include Gabe Vincent alongside minimum-contract players or a combination of Vincent and Jarred Vanderbilt.
While the Lakers hold two second-round picks for the 2025 Draft, the Warriors have a deeper pool of future picks, giving them a potential edge unless the Lakers are willing to overpay.
Although Vucevic’s trade value seems to have settled around multiple second-round picks, it’s unclear whether the Lakers or Warriors will ultimately secure him.
Other contenders like the Phoenix Suns, Memphis Grizzlies, Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, and New York Knicks appear unlikely to pursue Vucevic due to lack of need or fit.
With the trade deadline looming, both the Lakers and Warriors face critical decisions. Whether Vucevic is part of their plans remains to be seen, but his availability adds intrigue to the market.
