Could the Los Angeles Lakers target Nikola Vucevic?
The Los Angeles Lakers could shake up their roster in the offseason after exiting the playoffs in the second round against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Lakers are expected to re-sign Austin Reaves, who is in line for a big raise after he declines his player option, which is worth $14 million. The future of LeBron James is still up in the air, though most expect him to return for his 24th season.
Whether or not he is still wearing purple and gold remains to be seen.
Luka Doncic, who was unable to suit up for the playoffs during to an injury suffered in early April, remains and will be the centerpiece to be built around.
Nikola Vucevic A Target?
According to Marc Stein, the Lakers could target Nikola Vucevic, who last played for the Boston Celtics.
Stein wrote, "Former All-Star center Nikola Vučević is increasingly regarded as a certainty to switch teams this summer after a fractured right ring finger in March helped derail his brief stint as a Boston Celtic in the spring. He'll be 36 in October but figures to draw some interest on the open market given that there is generally always a clamor for floor-spacing big men.”
The Celtics acquired Vucevic at the trade deadline, and he played 16 games before a fractured ring finger sidelined him for the rest of the season and into the playoffs. He averaged 9.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, and two assists in 21.1 minutes while shooting 34% from three.
In six playoff games, he averaged 6.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists, but shot just 29% from three while playing 19 minutes per game.
A Good Fit?
Vucevic is an unrestricted free agent who made $21 million this past season. He'll be 36 in October, but he was a productive player in Chicago before being traded to the Celtics.
There are limited options in free agency at the center position in the price range for the Lakers, but Vucevic should come at a reasonable price. Deandre Ayton was the starter last season, and has a player option worth $8.1 million. Vucevic wouldn't supplant Ayton as the starter, but he would be a reasonable back up who can space the floor.
His defense has never been a strong suit and hasn't gotten better with age, but in a back up role he can be sheltered and still provide production against other bench units.
The problem is his age. The Lakers need to get younger and more athletic around Luka and Reaves.
At an affordable price, Vucevic can be a productive backup big. With a limited front court market, he's worth a swing, but he shouldn't be at the top of their list.
