Zach LaVine has maintained his on-court abilities so far this season. Many NBA big teams like the Miami Heat and the LA Lakers have considered him to be the best trade option available due to his court presence. LaVine, a two-time All-Star, has been the subject of several trade speculations in the past, linking him away from the Chicago Bulls.
Recently, the Lakers’ poor performance, especially losing at home to the Sacramento Kings, has helped to spark rumors that both Zach LaVine and the Bulls are searching for a possible landing spot elsewhere.
Is SG Zach LaVine being traded by the Bulls?
The Chicago Bulls and Zach LaVine are contemplating trade possibilities. Despite LaVine’s recent signing of a $215 million contract, with $138 million remaining, the Bulls are considering parting ways with him. However, they have communicated their intention to retain the services of their veteran wing. Shams Charania reports that both “The Chicago Bulls and Zach LaVine are open to exploring potential trades.”
Having spent seven seasons with the Bulls, LaVine boasts impressive career stats, averaging over 20 points and shooting 38% from three since the 2018 season. However, this season sees a dip in his shooting efficiency, hitting 40% from the field and 30% from three, potentially signaling regression at nearly 30 years old. The Bulls might view this as an opportunity to send him to a contender.
As the trade deadline looms, the Bulls could be gearing up for a franchise shift, with LaVine possibly just the first domino to fall. DeRozan and Vucevic might follow suit as the Bulls pivot toward developing their young talent for the future. NBA teams are aware of this development, hence, we are exploring potential landing spots for talented Zach LaVin.
Potential landing spots for Zach LaVine
Among other franchises in the NBA, including the Miami Heat, the LA Lakers appear to be the most possible destination for Zach LaVine. With the trade rumors lingering around, a potential deal between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Chicago Bulls is imminent, possibly involving Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Alex Caruso, as per The Athletic. While the Lakers have shown interest in DeRozan and LaVine, no concrete steps have been taken toward a trade.
The Lakers currently face restrictions in offering players to the Bulls due to numerous renewed contracts. Eligible players for potential trade include LeBron James, Max Christie, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Maxwell Lewis, and three two-way contract players: Colin Castleton, Alex Fudge, and D’Moi Hodge. The Lakers have until December 15 to alleviate some of these restrictions. After this date, a significant portion of their roster, including DeAngelo Russell, Gabe Vincent, Taurean Prince, Reddish, Christian Wood, and Jaxson Hayes, becomes trade-eligible. Additionally, Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura could be trade-eligible on January 15, 2024.
The Athletic outlines a potential framework for a LaVine deal, centering around Russell, who waived his no-trade clause in the off season. The deal would likely involve Hachimura or Vincent for salary matching, another player, and possibly the Lakers’ 2029 or 2030 first-round pick, with potential protections. As of now, no official trade has been finalized, but persistent trade rumors continue, fueled by previous reports of the Bulls’ interest in trading the veteran player.
