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From Los Angeles to Chicago, whispers around the NBA landscape are growing: the Los Angeles Lakers are closely monitoring the situation of Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vučević, as reported by Anthony Irwin of ClutchPoints. According to Irwin, the Lakers are particularly attuned to Vučević’s status as a potential buyout candidate, echoing their earlier monitoring of players such as Marcus Smart (Heavy Sports). Vučević, a 6‑foot‑10 two‑time All-Star, is entering the final year of a three‑year, approximately $60 million contract signed with Chicago in June 2023 and is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2026 (Heavy Sports). The Lakers’ interest appears rooted in the possibility that the Bulls might eventually buy out the veteran big man if a trade materializes or as the February trade deadline approaches—though insiders caution that Chicago would prefer to trade him rather than buy him out, if possible (Heavy Sports).
Vučević, who averaged 18.5 points, 10.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game during the 2024–25 campaign while shooting 53 percent from the field and 40.2 percent from three‑point range, continues to demonstrate his offensive efficiency and floor‑spacing ability. His combination of scoring inside, perimeter touch, playmaking out of the post and rebounding consistency have arguably made this one of his strongest seasons yet as a Bull (Heavy Sports). Despite his value, Chicago has been quietly shopping him, whether the motivation stems from shifting toward youth or financial flexibility. Yet anonymous sources have firmly claimed that Bulls ownership, specifically Jerry Reinsdorf, is resistant to cutting players loose without receiving value in return, making a buyout scenario unlikely absent a trade offer (Heavy Sports).
From the Lakers’ perspective, Vučević represents a unique opportunity. After acquiring Luka Dončić at the February trade deadline in a blockbuster trade that stunned the league, Los Angeles has sought additional ways to maximize their championship window. A center of Vučević’s caliber would provide veteran frontcourt depth behind their new starting center Deandre Ayton, whose versatile scoring and rebounding already improved Los Angeles’ interior presence. Adding Vučević would create a tandem of career double‑double scorers that offers not just scoring and rebounding but also versatility to space the floor and initiate offense from the high post (NBA Analysis Network). Reports note the Lakers believe easily waiving or stretching a contract such as Maxi Kleber’s or Gabe Vincent’s could swing enough cap flexibility to enable a buyout addition without sacrificing draft assets or trading away rotation players (basketnews.com). They view Vučević as the kind of established, efficient big man who could fit seamlessly into a rotation already featuring LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Dončić and Ayton.
The recent coverage in Sports Illustrated echoed the theme: the Lakers are monitoring Vučević, and while a buyout is being discussed, most expect Chicago to retain him unless an actual trade offer surfaces. Lakers fans may hope that a turnaround happens midseason as the Bulls’ performance and direction crystallize, but current dynamics suggest a move is less likely until the trade deadline when his contract becomes expiring and more valuable in trade negotiations (SI).
BasketNews.com adds further context, pointing out that Los Angeles remains active in reshaping its roster. Though they have added veterans in free agency, including Ayton, Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia, the front office continues exploring every opportunity to enhance depth and versatility—especially in the frontcourt, where Vučević’s production and basketball IQ could provide tangible impact (SI). Coverage from Times of India and Newsweek similarly frames Vučević as a prime buyout target for the Lakers, reinforcing the perception that Los Angeles may be positioning to pounce if he becomes available via buyout rather than trade (The Times of India).
Chicago’s reluctance to follow through on a buyout is steeped in organizational culture. Reinsdorf reportedly abhors paying players not to play, making an immediate buyout unlikely even though legitimate interest from teams like the Lakers might make that option attractive to Vučević himself or agents looking for leverage (Heavy Sports, basketnews.com). The Bulls, though, have every right to pivot if they find inbound value—perhaps in future picks or younger rotation players—before midseason.
Vučević’s own trajectory is worth noting. Born in Morges, Switzerland, raised largely in Belgium and Montenegro, he was drafted by the 76ers in 2011 and became a two‑time All‑Star during his nine seasons with the Orlando Magic before joining Chicago via trade in March 2021 (Wikipedia). He signed the extension with Chicago in June 2023, but now enters the final season of that deal—$21.5 million for 2025–26—making him an expiring contract that teams could seek to acquire at the deadline. His steadiness and offensive polish have made him a dependable presence: someone who consistently posts double‑doubles, stretches defences, and can be counted on for high‑IQ basketball and veteran leadership.
Los Angeles would likely view those attributes as complementary to their existing core. After failing to advance past the first round despite adding Dončić, the Lakers have signaled a willingness to add rotation pieces even midseason if they can be acquired on short notice and minimal cost. Vučević fits that mold—a player who doesn’t require multiyear commitment, who can produce consistent frontcourt minutes, and who can be slotted in behind Ayton or alongside him in heavier frontcourt lineups. Lakers executives are showing a clear interest, tracking Chicago’s internal deliberations and bungled trade rumors around the center (Heavy Sports, Yahoo Sports, Facebook).
For Bulls fans, the specter of losing Vucević creates both concern and inevitability. His recent averages—18.5 points and 10.1 rebounds per night—placed him among the league’s most efficient post players. At 34, he may be nearing the end of his prime, but his modern skill set—spacing, passing, rebounding, scoring out of the post—remains highly coveted in today’s NBA. Even so, the Bulls may feel pressure to plant seeds for a next-generation core: they already moved on from Lonzo Ball and Zach LaVine, and a departure by Vucević would tie into a broader youth movement (NBA Analysis Network, Heavy Sports).
Yet unless Chicago receives a trade offer that makes sense—perhaps linked to draft capital or younger role players—they are unlikely to buy him out outright. A buyout would essentially cost ownership money without return, and Reinsdorf’s reputation suggests he’d rather hang onto the contract. That said, Vučević himself may request release or waive part of his deal if he wants to chase a championship in a city like Los Angeles. It’s worth noting that Vučević is said to be a fan of Crvena Zvezda Belgrade and has been linked in European rumors to teams such as Panathinaikos, but such moves would only be realistic after he exits the Bulls organization entirely, either via trade or free agency next summer (Heavy Sports).
The Lakers’ interest is shrewd. They are currently brimming with headline talent—LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Deandre Ayton and Luka Dončić—and their bench depth remains a workable but imperfect puzzle. Vučević doesn’t fill a glaring hole in the way a defensive rim‑protecting center might, but he brings high-end offensive production, rebounding reliability and off‑ball spacing. That blend could be exactly what a contending team with limited exceptions needs heading into the February deadline and postseason run. It’s the sort of smart veteran depth signing that has defined many championship teams over the years.
From Chicago’s vantage point, the calculus is more delicate. Do they wait for a trade, perhaps packaging Vučević so another suitor can stomach his cap hit in exchange for younger talent or picks? Or do they push for a buyout and free up internal minutes for rising players? So far, they’ve resisted the buyout route, consistent with internal messaging that ownership values return on contract dollars. But the February deadline could pressure that stance if their season trajectory is bleak. A losing record might push the front office to pivot and concede that banking a pick is more tangible than letting him walk in 2026 for nothing.
So far, no trade is imminent, and no buyout is underway. But the Lakers’ monitoring signals that they are positioning patiently. They hope that Chicago balks at retaining Vučević long term—or that he pushes for release—and thus becomes available on terms palatable to a team with limited cap flexibility. If that happens, look for Lakers fans to rally around Vučević as one of the last notable buyout targets that fits their playoff timeline and roster mix.
In sum, Nikola Vučević presents a compelling case. He is an expiring-contract veteran who posted one of his most efficient seasons in 2024–25, offering scoring, rebounding, playmaking and perimeter touch. Chicago stands at a crossroads: hang onto him while he still contributes, or move him before his contract expires and leverage his value. The Lakers meanwhile have created a to-do list: Dončić, LeBron, Davis and Ayton set their ceiling; adding Vučević could help them reach it. Anthony Irwin’s report that they are closely monitoring the situation underscores Las Angeles’s commitment to leave no stone unturned as they chase another championship. Whether it ends in trade or buyout, Vučević’s story will remain one of the most intriguing roster subplots of the NBA season.
The coming months will be pivotal. Chicago’s front office decisions, the team’s win-loss record heading into February, and Vučević’s own desires for environment and opportunity will inform the outcome. Lakers fans should remain alert: their team is ready to act if Chicago wavers, and Vučević could find himself donning purple and gold by midseason—or next summer. Meanwhile, Bulls fans must brace for possibility: their steady veteran could be moved, bought out, or non‑tendered in free agency. Either way, his next chapter promises to involve compelling drama between two of the NBA’s most storied franchises.
Those are the latest developments, distilled from Anthony Irwin’s reporting and multiple outlets around the league. As summer gives way to training camps, preseason and the regular season itself, the intrigue will only grow around whether Los Angeles places a formal bid or quietly waits for opportunity, and whether Chicago remains firm—or concedes that letting Vučević walk before midseason may serve both party interest.
