The Los Angeles Lakers management never seems to have stopped strengthening

The Los Angeles Lakers management never seemed to have stopped strengthening, and this time, their eyes were fixed on Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic.

According to ClutchPoints Lakers reporter Anthony F. Irwin, the Lakers are closely following the trends of the 34-year-old veteran, hoping to show the "Pellinka magic" again in the buyout market - just like they have successfully signed Ayton and Smart before.

Vucevic's performance last season was efficient, averaging 18.5 points, 10.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game, shooting percentage of 53%, three-point shooting percentage of 40.2%, and his real shooting percentage reached a career-high 61.1%.

Such data is placed in any team at the inside level of combat power, but the Bulls are currently in the reconstruction period, and Vucevic's contract ($21.48 million in the 2025-26 season) has become the biggest obstacle to the transaction.

Although the Lakers hope that Vucevic can be bought out, the Bulls management is firm - they prefer to send him away through the transaction before the transaction deadline rather than buy out directly. Bulls reporter K.C. Johnson made it clear: "The Bulls will not buy out Vucevic this summer, and they still hope to exchange him for some assets." This position complicated the Lakers' reinforcement plan. After all, Vucevic's defensive shortcomings (slow movement and average frame protection) also discouraged other teams.

Lakers general manager Pelinka has been known as the "God of Buyout Market". In the past few years, he has successfully signed players such as Dinwiddie, Drummond, and Morris at low prices. During this offseason, he won Ayton for 16.2 million in 2 years and signed Smart for 11 million in 2 years, further strengthening the depth of the lineup.

However, Vucevic's situation is different - the Bulls are not in a hurry to release people, and the Lakers currently have only 1.1 million in salary space and cannot directly provide a basic salary contract.

If the Lakers really want to get Vucevic, the trade may be the only way. Previously, it was reported that the Lakers may send Vincent (11.5 million), Vanderbilt (10.7 million) and other players to match their salaries. But is such a deal worth it? Vucevic's offensive ability is unquestionable, but his defensive issues may cost the Lakers the playoffs.

More importantly, is Vucevic's style suitable for Doncic? The Lakers already have Ayton as a space-type insider, and although Vucevic's support and shooting ability is excellent, the limitations of the defensive end may make the Lakers passive when facing fast-paced teams.

In contrast, the Warriors may be the more suitable next player - the Kohl system needs big men who can support and project, and Vucevic's style just fits it.

In any case, Vucevic's future is still full of variables. If the Bulls still cannot find a suitable trading partner before the trading deadline, the possibility of a buyout will resurface.

At that time, the Lakers, Warriors and other teams will surely start a fierce competition. For Vucevic himself, the two-time All-Star center's career is coming to an end. Can he make a playoff breakthrough in the final stage? The answer may be revealed in the next few months.