NBA Trade Rumors: Lakers targeting Montenegrin 6'10" center with 4 teams in mix ahead of Trade Deadline
It's that time of the season again when teams are looking at the trade market to improve their teams, and the LA Lakers are among these squads. LA is likely looking to maximize its championship window with LeBron James, as it is reportedly looking to add a former All-Star.
According to NBA Insider Brett Siegel, one of the players that the LA front office is targeting is Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic. However, the Lakers will have to contend with several other teams if they want to acquire Vucevic.
According to Siegel's report, the Golden State Warriors, the New Orleans Pelicans, and the Detroit Pistons are interested in Vucevic as well. Additionally, several other teams could emerge as potential destinations on account of his value.
Vucevic is a two-time All-Star, once in 2019 and again in 2021. While he has not been given an All-Star nod since then, his production isn't that far off from when he was selected.
This season, he is averaging 21.0 points on 58.7% shooting while attempting 14.2 field goals per contest. He is also close to averaging a double-double with 9.8 rebounds per game.
In 2019, when he was first selected for the All-Star game, he averaged 20.8 ppg and 12.0 rpg. Then, in 2021, he averaged 23.4 ppg and 11.7 rpg.
The Montenegrin center also has been available. Since the 2020-21 campaign, he has played in over 70 regular season games each year. In fact, he played all 82 games during the 2022-23 campaign. His on-court availability should make him an even more attractive trade target not only for the Lakers but also for other teams that want to put together a playoff-worthy roster.
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Reports indicate that the Lakers are targeting several players for a trade
The Lakers are eighth in the West right now with a 13-11 record, which is hardly the standing expected from a team with championship aspirations. In order to increase their wins and their chances of winning a title, they are expected to make moves ahead of the trade deadline on Feb. 6.
Aside from Vucevic, they are also reportedly targeting Washington Wizards big man Jonas Valanciunas. Valanciunas production isn't quite on par with Vucevic's at 12.6 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. However, he provides a solid frontcourt presence, which LA needs.
Another big man on LA's target list is Brook Lopez, who can provide floor spacing and defense. This season, he has made 35.5% of his 3-pointers on 5.0 attempts per game. He is also averaging 2.1 blocks and 1.1 steals.
However, it isn't just big men that the Lakers are reportedly interested in. According to insider Anthony Irwin, Markelle Fultz is another player on LA's radar.
Fultz was the number one overall pick in 2017. However, he was limited to only 14 games in his first season due to a shoulder injury. The year Fultz was drafted, the Lakers had the second overall pick, which they used to select Lonzo Ball.