NBA Trade Rumors: LeBron James' Lakers and Steph Curry's Warriors tipped as 2 strongest suitors for 20 ppg and 42% 3-point shooting star
The LA Lakers and Golden State Warriors are arguably under the most pressure to make impactful moves before the Feb. 7 trade deadline. Both teams have already made trades, with the Steph Curry-led Warriors acquiring Dennis Schroder from the Brooklyn Nets and the LeBron James-led Lakers landing Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton by trading D'Angelo Russell to the Nets.
While Schroder’s addition has done little to elevate Golden State’s performance, Finney-Smith has significantly addressed some of the Lakers' issues. However, neither team currently appears equipped to contend in the highly competitive Western Conference or make a deep playoff run as they stand.
Both franchises are actively exploring additional moves and have been linked to several star-caliber players since the trade window opened. With aging superstars LeBron James and Steph Curry, the front offices of both teams face mounting pressure to capitalize on the limited championship window left to secure another title.
Amid the swirling rumors and speculation, the Lakers and Warriors have emerged as the leading contenders to trade for star center Nikola Vucevic. According to NBA insider Evan Sidery, both franchises are well-positioned to acquire Vucevic, who is currently on a three-year, $60 million contract with the Chicago Bulls.
"The Lakers and Warriors are viewed as the strongest trade suitors for Nikola Vucevic," Sidery tweeted. Both teams can match Vucevic’s $20 million salary in talks with the Bulls utilizing various contracts. Chicago will likely have to end up settling for second-round draft capital on Vucevic."
The Lakers and Warriors have been strongly linked to Nikola Vucevic over the past few months, as the Montenegrin center possesses the skill set to address numerous issues for both Western Conference teams.
For the Lakers, Vucevic would provide much-needed support alongside Anthony Davis while enhancing their frontcourt depth. Meanwhile, the Warriors have long sought a versatile big man who can contribute offensively and stretch the floor with his 3-point shooting. Vucevic's abilities make him an ideal fit for both franchises.
Nikola Vucevic in 2024-25 NBA season
Nikola Vucevic is having one of the finest seasons of his illustrious NBA career. The veteran center has showcased exceptional form, captivating fans with his offensive prowess and dominance on the boards.
This season, the Bulls' star is averaging 20.2 points per game while shooting an impressive 55.7% from the field, including a career-high 42.9% from 3-point range. Additionally, Vucevic is contributing 10.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game, further highlighting his all-around impact.