Success is difficult enough to achieve. It’s even more difficult to sustain. Sometimes, success comes and goes. Other times, it lasts. This is a lesson that every team in the NBA has learned at one point or another.
Take the Chicago Bulls. This team used to be one of the league’s powerhouses. The Bulls were a dynasty throughout the 1990s. Since those days, the team has struggled to recapture their glory. The Bulls had tremendous success, but in the end, it was fleeting.
On the other hand, the Los Angeles Lakers have sustained their success. This team has been a factor in almost every era of NBA basketball. Heading into the 2023-24 season, the Lakers are serious title contenders – again. Could they acquire Nikola Vucevic to bolster their title odds?
The Trade Proposal
Chicago Bulls Receive: F Rui Hachimura, G/F Cam Reddish
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: C Nikola Vucevic
Success can be even more difficult in the NBA – especially at the highest level. Take a look at NBA history. Typically, only a handful of teams win an NBA title in a given decade. Opponents of the ’90s Bulls know this all too well.
The Bulls won almost every title in the decade. Sure, the Houston Rockets went back-to-back. Michael Jordan was kind enough to retire briefly and allow them that opportunity. Once Jordan retired again, the San Antonio Spurs managed to get a title. After that, they’d be a rare example of a team who could sustain their success. The Spurs would win five NBA championships over two decades.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Nikola Vucevic, Chicago Bulls & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Arguably, they’re the best example of sustained success in league history. If they aren’t, that’s because the Lakers exist. There have only been brief instances in the league’s history in which the Lakers were losing. Does acquiring Vucevic get them back over the top?
Why The Los Angeles Lakers Do The Deal
Vucevic is a somewhat confusing player. He’s a hyper-talented offensive big man. Vucevic can space the floor and set up teammates with his floor vision. He’s a crafty interior scorer as well. Unfortunately, he’s a fairly weak defender. With that said, the Lakers are well-equipped to offset those weaknesses.
After all, they’ve got Anthony Davis to pair him with. He’s an eraser. Davis can cover for him if Vucevic makes defensive mistakes or can’t get to the necessary spots. Meanwhile, Vucevic offsets Davis’ limitations as a floor spacer. This feels like a perfect front-court pairing to us.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Nikola Vucevic, Chicago Bulls & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Meanwhile, the Lakers could use a third offensive option behind Davis and LeBron James. Vucevic can fill that role. The Lakers will miss Hachimura, but given the low usage role that he’s likely to play, Taurean Prince should be able to step into his role. Should the Bulls covet Hachimura?
Why The Chicago Bulls Do The Deal
The Bulls are a somewhat confusing team. Fans around the league think that they ought to rebuild. By all accounts, this team seems to be resisting that notion. Still, if they get off to a disappointing start in 2023-24, they may have to concede defeat finally.
In that event, they should shop Vucevic. This feels like a fair return for him. Some Bulls fans will disagree. They’ll be disappointed not to land a future first-round pick for Vucevic. Fair. On the other hand, Vucevic is aging and a defensive liability. It’s possible that the Bulls won’t find a first-round pick for his services.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Nikola Vucevic, Chicago Bulls & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
In that event, this is a good return. The Bulls are landing two players who are young enough to be part of their future. Moreover, Hachimura established a lot of value for the Lakers in the 2023-24 playoffs. If the Bulls are lucky, acquiring him will lead to some success for them soon.
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