The Los Angeles Lakers are poised to make waves in the NBA free agency market, with rumors swirling around a potential blockbuster move to sign two-time All-Star Nikola Vucevic. According to Trevor Lane of LakersNation, the Lakers could create the necessary cap space to sign Vucevic to a veteran minimum deal by waiving either Gabe Vincent or Maxi Kleber, a move that could catch their rivals off guard.
A Strategic Roster Move
During his July 28 podcast, Lane discussed the Lakers’ options for landing Vucevic, who could become a free agent if the Chicago Bulls buy out his $21 million expiring contract. “One option could be to waive and stretch the salary of Gabe Vincent or Maxi Kleber. You can do that with either guy,” Lane explained. “So the question becomes: would that be the preferred path rather than give up that second-round pick, have $3.6 million in dead money sitting on your books?”
The alternative, as Lane noted, would be to package Vincent and Kleber’s expiring contracts with a second-round pick to acquire Vucevic via trade. However, with the Bulls reportedly leaning toward a buyout due to a lack of trade interest, as per NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Lakers could capitalize on the opportunity to sign Vucevic at a bargain.
“There hasn’t been much of a market for Nikola Vucevic all along, dating back to last trade deadline,” Fischer told Bleacher Report. “I think at this juncture, we’re probably more likely to see a Nikola Vucevic buyout midseason than we are to see a trade.”
Lakers’ Buyout Market Mastery
The Lakers have already proven their prowess in the buyout market this offseason, securing Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart on team-friendly deals. Ayton signed a two-year, $16.6 million contract, while Smart, the former Defensive Player of the Year, inked a two-year, $11 million deal. These signings required the Lakers to waive Jordan Goodwin and Shake Milton, demonstrating their willingness to make tough roster decisions to improve the team.
A key factor in these acquisitions was the recruiting efforts of Luka Doncic, who joined the Lakers this offseason. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Doncic played a pivotal role in convincing both Ayton and Smart to join the purple and gold. “Luka Dončić was a lead recruiter in the Lakers’ pursuits of Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart via the NBA’s increasingly robust July buyout market,” Stein wrote. “I’m told that the recent Dončić pitch… particularly resonated with Smart and helped lead the former Defensive Player of the Year to choose the Lakers.”
Can Doncic Reel in Vucevic?
With Doncic’s recruiting prowess already evident, the question now is whether he can lure Vucevic to Los Angeles. Stein noted that Doncic’s commitment to the Lakers has quelled concerns about his long-term future with the team, as he has worked closely with vice president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka to bolster the roster. “External fretting about Dončić committing his long-term future to the Lakers… has dissipated considerably thanks to the contributions made by the 26-year-old throughout free agency,” Stein wrote.
Vucevic, a skilled center known for his scoring and rebounding, would be a significant addition to the Lakers’ frontcourt alongside Ayton. His ability to stretch the floor with his three-point shooting could complement Doncic’s playmaking, creating a formidable offensive duo. If Vucevic hits the open market, the Lakers will face competition from the Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics, both of whom pursued him aggressively before the 2025 NBA trade deadline.
A Game-Changing Move
Waiving Gabe Vincent, a guard who has struggled with injuries and inconsistent play, could be the key to unlocking this roster-altering move. While Vincent provides depth in the backcourt, Vucevic’s All-Star pedigree and versatility make him a far more impactful addition for a Lakers team aiming to contend for a championship. Alternatively, waiving Kleber, whose role has been diminished, could also free up the necessary space, though Vincent appears the more likely candidate.
The Lakers’ rivals, including the Warriors and Celtics, may not anticipate Los Angeles pulling off such a coup in the buyout market. With Doncic leading the charge and Pelinka orchestrating the roster, the Lakers could land Vucevic and solidify their status as a powerhouse in the Western Conference.
This potential move is a bold statement of intent from the Lakers, signaling that they are all-in on building a championship-caliber team around Doncic. As the free agency landscape continues to shift, all eyes will be on Los Angeles to see if they can pull off this shock wave of a signing.