NBA insider Jake Fischer has revealed that Nikola Vucevic could become a buyout candidate during the upcoming season, potentially offering the "Golden State Warriors" an unexpected opportunity after their pursuit of Al Horford.
"I think at this juncture we're probably more likely to see a Nikola Vucevic buyout mid-season than we are to see a trade, depending on how the market unfolds, depending on how injuries develop. There just really hasn't been much of a Nikola Vucevic trade market for a while," Fischer stated on Thursday.
The Warriors are reportedly closing in on signing the 39-year-old Horford in free agency, with young centers Trayce Jackson-Davis and Quinten Post expected to provide regular season support. However, concerns remain about playoff reliability should Horford face injury or fatigue.
Vucevic, currently on a $21.5 million expiring contract with the "Chicago Bulls", posted impressive numbers last season – 18.5 points, 10.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists while shooting 53% from the field and a remarkable 40.2% from beyond the arc.
Interestingly, the Warriors were strongly linked to the 2-time All-Star before the February trade deadline but eventually shifted their focus elsewhere. Defensive limitations have likely cooled market interest in the 34-year-old big man, though these concerns would carry less weight in a potential buyout scenario.
Adding Vucevic could prove crucial for Golden State's rotation planning. The team needs to carefully manage minutes for both Horford and Draymond Green throughout the 82-game schedule to keep them fresh for a playoff run.
Current free agency options at center appear limited for the Warriors. Could a mid-season Vucevic acquisition be the insurance policy this aging roster desperately needs?
