The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly not pursuing Nikola Vucevic or Jakob Poeltl ahead of the February 6 NBA trade deadline, according to insider Marc Stein. This decision comes amidst growing speculation that the Lakers could target a center to complement Anthony Davis and address roster depth. However, it appears the team is opting against acquiring these big men, despite their strong performances this season.
Both Vucevic and Poeltl have been notable contributors for their respective teams. Vucevic, currently with the Chicago Bulls, is averaging an impressive 20.1 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game while shooting 55.5% from the field and 40.6% from beyond the arc.
His offensive versatility and rebounding make him a valuable asset. However, his $20 million salary this season and the additional year left on his contract present financial challenges for any team considering him.
Poeltl, playing for the Toronto Raptors, offers a different skill set, excelling as a defensive anchor and a rebounding force. He is averaging 14.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 2.6 assists while shooting an efficient 61.5% from the field. Poeltl’s $19.5 million salary this season, coupled with two more years on his $78 million contract, could be another deterrent for the Lakers.
Despite their strengths, neither player fits the Lakers’ immediate plans. According to Stein, the team is focused on other options, such as their long-standing interest in Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler. However, Kessler is reportedly close to untouchable, with the Jazz rejecting multiple offers for the young center.
Anthony Davis has been vocal about the need for a true center to play alongside him, allowing him to shift to his preferred position at power forward. In a recent interview with Shams Charania, Davis emphasized the importance of replicating the formula that led to the Lakers’ 2020 championship, when JaVale McGee and Dwight Howard played pivotal roles as traditional centers.
Davis’s statement underscores his belief that the Lakers’ roster, as currently constructed, could benefit from additional size and defensive presence in the paint. However, the front office appears hesitant to commit to Vucevic or Poeltl, likely due to concerns about long-term salary commitments and fit.
While Davis continues to dominate this season with averages of 25.9 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game, the Lakers’ focus remains on maintaining flexibility and pursuing trades that align with their long-term strategy. Vucevic’s and Poeltl’s contracts may not provide the financial or strategic flexibility the Lakers are seeking.
Instead, the team may explore other options closer to the deadline. Myles Turner, a long-time Lakers target, could re-emerge as a potential candidate due to his own contract uncertainties with the Indiana Pacers. Alternatively, the Lakers could stand pat, relying on Davis’s versatility and the current roster to continue their strong season, which has them in the playoff mix with a 25-18 record.
The Lakers’ reported disinterest in Nikola Vucevic and Jakob Poeltl reflects a calculated approach to the trade deadline. While both players could address specific needs, their contracts and potential fit with the team do not align with the Lakers’ priorities.
As the deadline approaches, all eyes will be on the Lakers to see if they make a significant move or maintain their current roster in pursuit of championship contention.
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The Sixers are waiving Ricky Council IV, the team announced in a press release. Council signed a four-year, partially guaranteed deal with the Sixers in 2024, which contained a team option for the 2026-27 season. Last season, he averaged 7.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 17.1 minutes per night — all career-high numbers. Kyle Neubeck of PHLY Sports notes that the timing of the move was unexpected, given that Council’s guarantee date is on Jan. 10, 2026, and the team currently has an open roster spot if they need it to add restricted free agent Quentin Grimes. While Council struggled with his three-point shot last season, he emerged as a reliable depth contributor, playing a team-high 73 games while bringing athleticism and energy from the wing positions.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are still looking for a solution to their bottom-six surplus, and veteran forward Calle Jarnkrok remains at the center of trade discussions. However, according to The Fourth Period, trade talks surrounding the 33-year-old winger have failed to gain momentum. They write: “He has a $2.1M cap hit and owns a 10-team no-trade list. The market hasn’t been vibrant, to this point, but the Leafs will continue to dangle him.” Why can’t the Maple Leafs find a taker for Jarnkrok? Jarnkrok has quietly been on the trade block for much of the offseason, but general manager Brad Treliving has yet to find a taker. After adding several depth forwards this summer, the Leafs now face a crowded bottom six — and Jarnkrok’s age, injury history and $2.1M cap hit through 2025–26 aren’t helping his value. Since joining Toronto, Jarnkrok has appeared in only 71 games over two seasons, scoring a modest 28 points. While his defensive versatility and penalty-killing ability are assets, his declining offensive production and durability concerns have made teams wary. With training camp approaching, the Maple Leafs may be forced to keep Jarnkrok on the roster — or retain salary in a deal — if they want to create space and flexibility. Dropping his cap hit down to just over $1M would open up the market a little. Until then, the Swedish forward remains a trade candidate in limbo. This isn’t great news as moving Jarnkrok from the roster is an important item on the team’s to-do list. Treliving would like more cap space, and with Jarnkrok and David Kampf both still on the roster, it hampers the GM’s ability to do other things.
There is not a bigger sporting event in North America than the Super Bowl, and tickets are only getting more expensive every year. There is also a ridiculous secondary market for tickets where seats sell for well above the original face value. It is usually fans or ticket resellers going for a quick profit. But as was reported on Friday, sometimes it can be players in the NFL looking to make a profit. According to multiple reports, including the Associated Press and ESPN, more than 100 players are facing fines and potential suspensions for selling their allotment of tickets to this year's Super Bowl between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs for above face value. Players are reportedly facing fines of one-and-a-half times the face value they originally paid for the tickets, while they are also prevented from purchasing tickets to the Super Bowl for the next seasons. The Associated Press obtained a memo from the NFL detailing the violation and investigation. That memo was as follows: “Our initial investigation has determined that a number of NFL players and coaches, employed by several NFL Clubs, sold Super Bowl tickets for more than the ticket’s face value in violation of the Policy. This long-standing League Policy, which is specifically incorporated into the Collective Bargaining Agreement, prohibits League or Club employees, including players, from selling NFL game tickets acquired from their employer for more than the ticket’s face value or for an amount greater than the employee originally paid for the ticket, whichever is less. We are in the process of completing our investigation into this matter, but the investigation has revealed that club employees and players sold their tickets to a small number of ‘bundlers’ who were working with a ticket reseller to sell the Super Bowl tickets above face value.” If players are not willing to pay the fine, they could be facing suspension from the league. It seems unlikely that any of the players — none of whom have been named, or their teams — would refuse to pay such a fine. It's also one of those moments where you can say, professional athletes — they're still normal people trying to make a quick buck. The most logical answer here is perhaps some of the players caught up in this are younger players who have not yet struck it rich on a big contract or perhaps even practice squad players who are not making top dollar.
The Boston Bruins are gauging trade interest in forward Pavel Zacha, according to The Fourth Period. Following a down season and a trade deadline where Zacha’s name was thrown around but was ultimately not moved, Bruins GM Don Sweeney is trying to move the 27-year-old Czech center. Zacha is playing in the final season of a contract that has a $4.75 million cap hit. Zacha, acquired from the New Jersey Devils in 2022 for Erik Haula, has been a solid pickup for Boston. He posted 21 goals and 57 points in 78 games in 2023-24, though his production dipped slightly to 47 points over a full 82-game slate last season. He can play up and down the lineup and has a strong two-way game. Who Has Shown Interest in a Zacha Trade? Two teams reportedly monitoring Zacha are the Vancouver Canucks and the Utah Hockey Club. Both teams are seeking top-six forward depth and would value Zacha’s steady offensive contributions. The Canucks have been busy all summer, signing and trading players. They have also been linked to Jack Roslovic talks in free agency, meaning they wouldn’t be adding both. Utah has been looking to make a splash this season and work their way up the standings in an attempt to compete for the playoffs. The Bruins would likely demand a notable return, but neither team is looking to send players back. The trade would likely involve a high pick or a mid-tier prospect. Zacha controls part of the process with an eight-team no-trade list. He’s owed just $3.75 million in actual salary each of the next two seasons, further boosting his trade appeal.