Report: Lakers Have Checked In With Bulls On Nikola Vucevic Trade

According to NBA insider Evan Sidery, the Los Angeles Lakers are interested in trading for Chicago Bulls big man Nikola Vucevic.

The Lakers are looking for a center to play alongside Anthony Davis, who prefers to play the power forward position. 

The Lakers have recently checked in with the Bulls on Nikola Vucevic.

Los Angeles is calling around attempting to find a center upgrade, which also includes Robert Williams and Jonas Valanciunas.

After acquiring Dorian Finney-Smith, the Lakers are setting up for another move. pic.twitter.com/prsxs7K7uz

— Evan Sidery (@esidery) January 6, 2025

According to veteran NBA insider Marc Stein, the Bulls are expected to trade Vucevic before the February 6 trade deadline. 

“The complications Chicago faces in trying to ship out another former All-Star in Zach LaVine have been well-chronicled, but the Bulls are expected to find deals between now and the Feb. 6 deadline involving Vucevic and possibly Lonzo Ball,” Stein reported. 

Vucevic is averaging 20.4 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.6 blocks this season while shooting 55.8% from the field, 43.6% from beyond the arc and 83.3% from the free-throw line. 

A two-time All-Star, Vucevic is making $20 million this season. The USC product will make $21.5 million next season in the final year of his contract. 

“This time of year, it’s part of it,” Vucevic told the Chicago Tribune about seeing and hearing his name in trade rumors. “You can’t get caught up into that stuff. I’ve heard rumors ever since I was in Orlando. Everybody knows it and that’s just how it goes. Everybody online is going to have their opinions.”

The Lakers are in fifth place in the Western Conference under first-year head coach JJ Redick. LeBron James and Co. are 20-15. 

Meanwhile, the Bulls are 16-19. They are in 10th place in the East. 

Los Angeles already made one trade this season, sending D’Angelo Russell and Maxwell Lewis to the Brooklyn Nets for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton.