NBA Trade Rumors: Los Angeles Lakers Eye $33 Million All-Star in Ambitious Trade Proposal to Bolster Squad Around LeBron James
Following a disappointing first-round playoff exit, the
Los Angeles Lakers
have wasted no time reshaping their roster for the 2025-26 NBA season. In a Western Conference that has only become tougher, the front office is swinging for the fences, and a new trade idea floated by Sports Illustrated's Rohan Raman could be the biggest move yet.
According to Raman,
the Lakers
could be looking to offload point guard
Gabe Vincent
in a blockbuster deal that brings two-time All-Star center Nikola Vucevic to Los Angeles.
'Vucevic would be able to drastically improve LA's spacing and give them another offensive option that can relieve pressure from their big three,' Raman wrote. 'He's also a presence on the boards and can generate second-chance points for LA.'
Proposed Trade Breakdown
Here's how Raman's full trade scenario would look across three teams:
Trade Details
Team
Receives
Lakers
Nikola Vucevic
Bulls
Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber, 2026 2nd-round pick (via BOS from ATL), 2029 2nd-round pick (via CLE from ATL), 2032 2nd-round pick (via ATL), 2028 1st-round pick swap (via LAL)
Hawks
Ayo Dosunmu
This trade sees the Lakers parting ways with a struggling point guard, two second-round picks, and a first-round swap to land a skilled veteran center.
Why the Los Angeles Lakers Might Be Interested
Gabe Vincent (Image via Getty)
The Los Angeles Lakers have already made notable offseason moves:
- Signed Jake LaRavia and
Deandre Ayton
- Re-signed Jaxson Hayes
- Waived two guards to accommodate Marcus Smart
With Ayton now the starting big man, Vucevic wouldn't be an urgent need. However, Hayes' consistency as a backup remains uncertain. That's where Vucevic becomes a valuable option.
Vucevic's 2024-25 Season Stats
Stat
Value
Points Per Game
18.5
Rebounds Per Game
10.1
Field Goal %
53.0%
Three-Point %
40.2%
Despite not being a rim protector, Vucevic's ability to stretch the floor, score in the low post, and rebound effectively makes him an enticing option. His pick-and-pop game could be a seamless fit next to stars like
LeBron James
and Anthony Davis, especially in half-court sets.
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What This Means for Gabe Vincent
Gabe Vincent's time in Los Angeles appears to be nearing its end. After two lackluster seasons, the Lakers likely see him as a movable piece.
'Vincent has been a good perimeter defender and capable shooter in the past for the Heat, and it's possible he could find that form with Chicago,' Raman noted.
The Bulls, on the other hand, may view Vincent as a reclamation project who could thrive in a new setting.
Lakers' Frontcourt Outlook
While the starting center role belongs to Ayton, adding Vucevic would deepen the Lakers' frontcourt and bring in another proven scorer and rebounder. Here's a quick look at how the depth chart could shape up if this trade were to happen:
Projected Frontcourt Rotation
Position
Player
C (Starter)
Deandre Ayton
PF
Anthony Davis
C (Backup)
Nikola Vucevic
PF/C (Bench)
Jaxson Hayes
This kind of depth would give the Lakers more flexibility, especially in playoff matchups where spacing and offensive rebounding can tip the scales.
Though speculative, this trade idea underlines the Lakers' aggressive stance this offseason. They're clearly not content with just small upgrades, and if they can find the right deal, Nikola Vucevic could be the next major addition in their title pursuit.
As Rohan Raman emphasized, the move 'would be able to drastically improve LA's spacing,' something the Lakers sorely lacked during their postseason run.
Also read:
NBA Trade Rumors: Golden State Warriors Predicted to Land $48 Million ex-Boston Celtics Star in Bold 3-Team Trade Proposal
Whether this idea gains traction or remains on the drawing board, one thing is clear — the Lakers are not standing still.
Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
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