If Nikola Vucevic hits the buyout market, the Los Angeles Lakers must act with urgency and precision. This isn’t just about adding another name to the roster—it’s about strategically fortifying a frontcourt that has seen flashes of brilliance but remains mired in inconsistency. In the high-stakes landscape of championship contention, Vucevic’s potential arrival could be the kind of midseason pivot that transforms a good team into a truly dangerous one. With Deandre Ayton already anchoring the paint, the addition of a high-IQ, floor-spacing, offensively skilled big like Vucevic could provide the Lakers with a powerful, veteran-laden tandem down low that few teams could match.
Vucevic’s current situation with the Chicago Bulls has reached a peculiar stalemate. The Bulls have been stuck in basketball purgatory, neither tanking nor contending, and Vucevic’s skillset—though still valuable—is increasingly redundant on a roster that’s failing to capitalize on his contributions. If he were to become available via buyout, it would signal a major shift in the Bulls’ direction and simultaneously open up a golden opportunity for any team with championship aspirations. The Lakers, always opportunistic when it comes to leveraging elite talent, would need to act fast. They’ve already shown a willingness to retool the roster on the fly, and adding Vucevic would be a calculated gamble with potentially massive rewards.
Vucevic brings several elements the Lakers sorely need: spacing, rebounding, and a calming presence in the half-court offense. One of the major issues plaguing the Lakers has been predictability and stagnation in their offensive sets, particularly when defenses clamp down in late-game situations. Ayton provides rim protection, athleticism, and rebounding, but he’s not the kind of offensive focal point who can create for himself or others when things break down. Vucevic, however, is that guy. With a smooth post game, the ability to knock down midrange and three-point shots, and excellent passing vision for a big man, he gives the Lakers the flexibility to run offense through him in spurts. That’s invaluable in the playoffs when matchups and half-court execution often determine the outcome of a series.
From a tactical perspective, pairing Vucevic with Ayton might raise some questions about defensive fit, but it’s not as concerning as it might appear. Vucevic has never been an elite defender, but he’s a smart positional player who doesn’t make many mistakes. Next to Ayton—who can cover ground, protect the rim, and switch in spurts—Vucevic’s shortcomings can be mitigated. Offensively, though, they complement each other perfectly. Ayton thrives around the rim while Vucevic can stretch the floor and create mismatches. That duality gives the Lakers options, whether they’re facing a small-ball lineup or a traditional frontcourt.
Roster-wise, the Lakers would need to get creative to make room for Vucevic. They’d likely need to offload a contract or two, perhaps reshuffle their rotation, and maybe even part ways with some promising young talent. But such moves aren’t unprecedented for a team chasing a title. In Los Angeles, the championship window is always considered wide open so long as the roster features stars and the potential for playoff brilliance. If the front office believes Vucevic could be the missing piece to unlock the best version of this team, it’s a move worth pursuing even if it comes at the cost of short-term flexibility or minor assets.
What makes Vucevic particularly appealing is his ability to operate within multiple offensive systems. Whether it’s pick-and-pop, high-post facilitation, or low-block isolation, he can do it all. On a team like the Lakers, where offensive diversity has often been a challenge, having someone who can shift the tempo and provide different looks is critical. When paired with playmakers like Luka Dončić—should the reported trade scenarios involving him become a reality—or even LeBron James and Anthony Davis if they stay involved in the leadership fabric of the team, Vucevic’s offensive instincts become an extension of the system rather than a complication.
Additionally, Vucevic brings playoff experience, poise, and professionalism. He doesn’t need the ball to be effective, and he’s not the type to disrupt locker room chemistry. For a Lakers team that has at times been volatile in terms of on-court synergy and leadership structure, his demeanor could act as a stabilizing force. He’s been an All-Star. He’s been through rebuilding. He’s seen both ends of the NBA competitive spectrum and knows what it takes to be consistent in his role. In a locker room where expectations are sky-high, those qualities matter just as much as points and rebounds.
The Lakers’ identity in recent years has been defined by a push-and-pull between youth and experience, between star power and system basketball. Adding Vucevic might tilt that balance toward a more seasoned, veteran-heavy approach, but that’s not a bad thing. The NBA landscape is shifting. The West is loaded with big men—Nikola Jokić, Karl-Anthony Towns, Domantas Sabonis, Chet Holmgren, and now even Victor Wembanyama. You need versatile, intelligent frontcourt players to compete in that kind of environment. Ayton alone won’t be enough, not if the Lakers are serious about contending. Vucevic’s size, touch, and feel give them a weapon that few others possess.
Let’s not forget how much the Lakers have struggled to find consistency in their rotations. Injuries, underperformance, and poor fits have left the coaching staff scrambling. Vucevic provides not just talent but reliability. He plays a lot of games. He logs big minutes. He takes care of his body. He’s not a maintenance-heavy player. That matters in a grueling 82-game season and an even more unforgiving playoff run. The Lakers can’t afford to wait until April to figure out who they are. Vucevic would help establish an identity earlier, giving them time to build chemistry and fine-tune their approach before the real battles begin.
From a narrative standpoint, adding Vucevic fits the Lakers’ history of bold, headline-grabbing moves. This is the franchise of Wilt, Kareem, Shaq, and Pau Gasol—big men who altered the team’s trajectory. While Vucevic might not be in their league legacy-wise, the logic behind his acquisition would be in the same spirit. Make the smart play. Shore up a weakness. Reinforce a strength. And do it in a way that sends a message to the rest of the league: the Lakers are all-in.
For Vucevic, the Lakers would represent the perfect blend of opportunity and legacy. He’s never been on a true title contender. He’s put up numbers in anonymity for much of his career, both in Orlando and Chicago. Coming to L.A. would give him the spotlight and the stage he’s long deserved. He wouldn’t have to carry the team. He wouldn’t even have to be the second option. But he’d be vital—perhaps the exact kind of player who swings a second-round series or makes a game-winning play in a tight Finals game. Every contender needs a guy like that. The Lakers can’t afford to let him go to someone else.
It’s not hard to imagine a closing lineup featuring Vucevic, Ayton, Dončić (or another elite guard if that scenario doesn’t pan out), and a mix of perimeter defenders and shooters. That kind of flexibility is hard to defend. It gives the Lakers inside-out options and matchup versatility. And it’s built for the grind of playoff basketball. As teams go smaller or trap superstars, Vucevic can punish them inside or hit timely shots from the perimeter. He doesn’t shrink from big moments. He thrives in control.
Ultimately, if Vucevic becomes available and the Lakers are serious about maximizing this roster’s potential, there is no excuse not to be on the phone. The front office must explore every avenue, every contingency, every possible way to bring him in. It might take maneuvering—cutting a player, eating a contract, or convincing Vucevic to take a veteran minimum—but those are small prices to pay for a shot at a championship. The Lakers have always understood the weight of the moment. If Vucevic is on the market, that moment is now.
