Lakers' dream Luka Doncic duo completely collapses and Mavericks should be thrilled

The Los Angeles Lakers' dream move to sign Nikola Vucevic to pair him with Luka Doncic is looking like a long shot now, and the Dallas Mavericks should be jumping for joy.

Earlier this offseason, there were some rumblings that Vucevic's trade market was nonexistent with the Chicago Bulls, meaning that he could be a buyout candidate at some point during the regular season for the rest of the league to pounce on. This caused Lakers fans' ears to perk up, as they still need some frontcourt depth to help out Doncic in his first full season with the team, but it doesn't look like Vucevic will be getting bought out by the Bulls anytime soon.

Mavericks fans should be thrilled about the Lakers likely not landing Vucevic next season, as them landing another big man to play with Doncic could propel them way past Dallas. Doncic has always thrived while playing with a solid center, and he and Vucevic playing together would've been an offensive nightmare for opposing teams.

Lakers won't even get the chance to steal Nikola Vucevic

In a recent interview with BasketUSA, Vucevic made it clear that he believes that he will be in Chicago to start the 2025-26 season, and Bulls GM Marc Eversley even reached out to him to confirm this.

"A week ago (the interview was done August 4), the Bulls GM (Marc Eversley), who had called me after all the rumors, confirmed that nothing was true and that everything we had discussed after the season still stood," Vucevic said. "I already knew that, but it’s always nice when your GM calls to tell you."

The Bulls clearly aren't looking to buy out Vucevic right now if what Eversley said is true, and this is great news for the Mavericks.

Not only will Vucevic likely stay in the Eastern Conference with the Bulls, but him not getting bought out will also keep him away from the Lakers as they try to bounce back after getting destroyed by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs. Dallas and Los Angeles are bound to be fighting for positioning within the Western Conference standings next season as heated rivals, and Vucevic joining Doncic's Lakers could've changed everything for them.

Rob Pelinka already added Deandre Ayton this summer, which was a solid move to give Doncic a rim roller to operate out of the pick and roll with, but Vucevic would've given them a smart, floor-stretching center who can drop 20 points with ease on any given night.

Last season for the Bulls, Vucevic averaged 18.5 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game while shooting 53 percent from the field and 40 percent from downtown. Vucevic was a monster on the offensive end, solidifying himself as one of the better offensive-minded bigs in the East, but even this dominant and efficient season didn't lead the Bulls to gain any traction with him on the trade market.

Vucevic's scoring down low, shooting, and rebounding would've made him a major threat for the Lakers, as he would give them a new big who can be an offensive hub when needed, while also being able to knock down open jumpers and protect the rim. Doncic and Vucevic would've been a scary duo for the Mavericks to be forced to deal with, as Dallas currently holds a major frontcourt advantage over the Lakers since they have Dereck Lively II, Daniel Gafford, and Anthony Davis all holding down the paint.

Vucevic joining the Lakers' center room wouldn't make them pass Dallas by any means, but it definitely would've made things more interesting. Even with Jaxson Hayes coming back, they're going to need some more bodies down low to compete with Dallas, and Vucevic could've given them that and more.

Fear not, Mavericks fans. It sounds like Vucevic is staying with the Bulls for the time being, and Doncic won't be gaining his friend to play alongside him for the Lakers just yet. Vucevic playing for the Lakers would've been frustrating in multiple ways for Mavericks fans, as they have pushed for the team to acquire him in the past, and fans will be hoping that the Bulls keep him to ensure that the West doesn't get any stronger than it already is.