The Los Angeles Lakers struggled most at the center spot last season. Trading Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic came at a cost, and what was left behind was a center rotation led by Jaxson Hayes and a revolving door of stopgap bigs. Come playoff time, the Minnesota Timberwolves took advantage and exposed that vulnerability.
The Lakers responded this summer by shoring up their front line. Former No. 1 overall pick DeAndre Ayton joined the team in the buyout market, giving them a true starting-caliber center. Ayton might be the answer, but the Lakers aren’t closing the book just yet.
With Hayes behind Ayton, Los Angeles could use a more reliable big. One name being floated is Nikola Vucevic of the Chicago Bulls. The veteran center is entering the final year of his contract, and with Chicago potentially heading into a retooling phase, the Lakers could pounce if he becomes available.
“This does leave a few interesting free agents still, not even including eventual buyout candidates like Chicago’s Nikola Vucevic. As they did with Smart, the Lakers are closely monitoring that situation.”
The Lakers are monitoring Nikola Vučević’s situation, per @AnthonyIrwinLA
“This does leave a few interesting free agents still, not even including eventual buyout candidates like Chicago’s Nikola Vucevic. As they did with Smart, the Lakers are closely monitoring that… pic.twitter.com/Ltchd8RFvT
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 1, 2025
