Los Angeles Lakers: Trade deadline targets that would help a playoff push
By Jason Reed
1. Nikola Vucevic, C
This is a trade that makes too much sense for the Los Angeles Lakers and is more than realistic and is a deal that we have mentioned several times before in different capacities here at LA Sports Hub.
If the Lakers were to make one trade at the trade deadline, and only were allowed to make one, I would vote to trade for Nikola Vucevic. The stars are aligned and it is too good of a fit.
The Los Angeles Lakers need help at the center position. JaVale McGee and Ivica Zubac are the two primary centers with Moritz Wagner and even Kyle Kuzma or LeBron James seeing time at the position. Regardless, if the Lakers are going to upgrade, it will be at center.
However, the Lakers cannot commit to a lot of money long-term (or even past this season) as the team is looking to add a second superstar next summer.
Enter Vucevic, who checks every box. He is a great center that is in between above average and all-star and could be a huge role piece on a contending team. Even better, he is a free agent after this season.
Trading Vucevic is a very real thing for the Orlando Magic to do as well. He likely is not in the team’s long-term plans after drafting center Mohamed Bamba and it is better to get something rather than nothing out of him.
It would open up the minutes for Bamba to see more court time to develop and would give the Lakers a great center to put alongside LeBron James.