In the NBA s trading rumors market, there are always all kinds of exciting news

The NBA trading rumors market is always full of exciting news. Recently, a news that the Lakers intend to trade the Bulls Vucevic with Vincent, Van derbiao and Kneketga in 2031 first-round draft picks has attracted widespread attention from fans and the media. Anthony F. Irwin, a Lakers reporter from the well-known sports media ClutchPoints, also revealed that the Lakers are also closely monitoring the situation of Chicago Bulls center Vucevic, which has attracted great attention from the outside world. If this deal is reached, it will undoubtedly be a major change in the lineup for the Lakers, which can be regarded as a final victory for the Lakers in the player market in the offseason.

Vucevic, born on October 24, 1990, 208cm tall and 118kg, has played for the Chicago Bulls, playing as a power forward-center. Last season, he played 73 games for the Bulls, averaging 18.5 points, 10.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game, shooting percentage of 53.0%, three-point shooting percentage of 40.2%, and free throw percentage of 80.5%, and the data is quite comprehensive. His contract will last until the end of the 2025-26 season, with guaranteed salary exceeding $21 million.

As a comparison, the three players that the Lakers plan to send out each have their own focus on their performance last season. Vincent averaged 8.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game, and shot 47.2%, making him an energetic scorer on the bench; Van Debiao averaged 6.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game, and is known for his defensive enthusiasm, and his defensive efficiency ranks in the top 30 in the league; Kneckett is more in the inside rotation, averaging 7.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, showing a certain offensive ability in a limited time. From a data perspective, Vucevic's comprehensive contribution obviously exceeds the sum of these three players, which is also the core reason why the Lakers are willing to pay for future draft picks.

If Vucevic joins the Lakers, there may be a wonderful chemical reaction between him and Doncic and James. Last season, Doncic averaged 28.9 points, 8.9 rebounds and 9.2 assists per game, making him one of the top ball-holding cores in the league. His breakthrough pass and pick-and-roll organization ability is a unique in the league. Although James is 40 years old, he can still hand in comprehensive data of 24.6 points, 7.9 rebounds and 7.3 assists, especially in converting offenses and handling key balls. Vucevic's characteristics are just suitable for the play of these two stars - when Doncic plays a pick-and-roll with him, Vucevic can not only hit the basket, use a 118kg weight to complete the end, but also bounce outside the three-point line, providing stable output with a 40.2% three-point shooting percentage; and James's breakthrough tactics are good at echoing Vucevic's off-ball running, whose passing ability is averaging 3.5 assists in his career, and can also create opportunities for his wing teammates in the secondary organization.

From the offensive end, Vucevic can bring significant changes to the Lakers. Last season, the Lakers ranked 18th in the league in average inside scores, and often fell into a passive position when facing tough inside teams such as the Nuggets and the Timberwolves. Vucevic's arrival will directly improve this shortcoming. He averaged 10.2 points from the penalty area per game, and scored 0.92 points per round for back-to-back singles, exceeding 70% of the league's players. At the same time, he averaged 4.2 three-pointers per game, which not only opened up the offensive space, but also provided punitive shots when the opponent contracted his defense. This "internal ability to attack strongly and external ability to shoot long shots" will make the Lakers' offensive tactics richer - whether it is the high and low position cooperation in the double tower lineup or the space pull in the small ball lineup, you can find the right tactical fulcrum. On the defensive end, although Vucevic is not very good, he is also a responsible team defender and elite defensive rebounder. Last season, he averaged 10.1 rebounds per game, including 7.6 defensive rebounds, ranking 11th in the league. This rebound protection ability can effectively reduce the opponent's second offensive opportunities. Although his lateral movement speed is not top-notch, his height of 208cm and his weight of 118kg can form an effective frame barrier under the basket, and the opponent's shooting rate at the basket in front of him will drop by 4.2 percentage points. For the Lakers, their defensive efficiency was only 15th in the league last season, and the inside defense was even weaker. Vucevic's joining can complement the team's existing defensive system - when he guards the basket, Doncic and James on the outside can make steals and counterattacks more at ease. This sense of layering on the defensive end is something the Lakers' lineup lacked before.

In terms of team tactical diversity, Vucevic's joining will give the Lakers more possibilities for changing the lineup. In the past season, the Lakers often suffered losses when they played in small lineups due to insufficient inside height, and they would sacrifice offensive space when playing the double towers. Vucevic's all-around attributes can just solve this contradiction: he can not only form a traditional double tower with Ayton, use the ability of two people to average 22 rebounds per game to dominate the penalty area; he can also play the No. 5 position at critical moments, form a "one big and four small" lineup with James and Doncic, and open up space with accurate three-pointers. This tactical flexibility allows the head coach to make more targeted adjustments when facing opponents of different styles - for example, when facing fast-breaking strong teams like the Thunder, he uses his rebounds to ensure the control of the rhythm; when facing positional teams like the Nuggets, he uses his inside offense to break the deadlock.

However, this transaction is not without risks. Vucevic is 35 years old. Although his condition remains stable last season, the physical fluctuations caused by age are still potential hidden dangers. Moreover, after trading three rotation players, the Lakers' substitute depth will be affected, especially Van Debiao's defensive contribution and Mencente's substitute organization and defensive ability, which requires other players to fill the gap. The first round draft pick in 2031 is a long-term asset. Once the Lakers fail to win the championship in the next few seasons, this transaction may affect the team's reconstruction cycle..

If the Lakers form the inside double towers between Vucevic and Ayton, they will be no less than the inside of the Rockets. Vucevic's low-post singles and three-point shooting, combined with Ayton's basket finishing and frame protection ability, is extremely threatening on both ends of offense and defense. Although the Rockets' inside line has Shin Kyung's organization, Capela's inside vitality, and Smith's spatial attributes, the Lakers' double towers have an advantage in height, weight and experience. Whether it is a tough confrontation in positional wars or rebounding competition, they can form an effective confrontation with the Rockets' inside line, and even gain the upper hand with stability during critical periods.

But from the perspective of current competitiveness, Vucevic's joining is undoubtedly an upgrade for the Lakers. His experience, skills and immediate combat power can make up for the shortcomings of the Lakers' lineup and complement Doncic and James. If this deal is finally reached, the Lakers may really be able to launch a stronger impact on the championship in the new season.