Should the Bulls Shop LaVine?
In 2017, the Chicago Bulls acquired Zach LaVine from the Minnesota Timberwolves in a trade that saw Jimmy Butler leave the Windy City. While LaVine is primarily recognized as one of the best dunkers in the NBA today, he’s also evolved into one of the game’s elite scorers as well.
His best scoring season came during the 2020-2021 campaign where he averaged 27.4 points on 50.7% field goal shooting in 58 regular-season games.
LaVine and the Bulls eventually reached the playoffs last year only to be eliminated by the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round.
Despite their early exit from the 2022 postseason, the Bulls had fans hopeful that the team would embark on a deep playoff run this season. After all, they still had one of the better Big Threes on paper heading into the season in LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Nikola Vucevic.
While Chicago may be on a three-game winning streak, they’re still a far cry from a bonafide playoff team. What’s more alarming is that many observers believe the team is bound to kickstart a rebuild any day now meaning LaVine may be on his way out.
LaVine’s Possible Destinations
LaVine just signed a five-year contract extension during the 2022 offseason. This new contract would earn the two-time NBA All-Star $125 million dollars. With his new deal however, the 27 year old cannot be traded until the new year.
If Chicago does implode, trading Zach LaVine could be the Bulls’ first move because he’s also most likely to bring in significant draft compensation to help the team’s rebuilding process- should they decide to take that route. And if we’re to believe reports circulating on social media as of late, the 13th pick in the 2014 NBA Draft already has a preferred destination: the Los Angeles Lakers.
This isn’t the first time LaVine’s name has become intertwined with the Lakers in trade possibilities as it was the source of many a headline during the 2022 offseason when the Lakers tried to find a trade partner for Russell Westbrook.
The Renton, WA native is a UCLA alum, and is represented by Klutch Sports, so there’s merit to the rumours beyond just the usual “Lakers are linked to everybody” mantra in NBA circles.
And with the Lakers struggling to win games without Anthony Davis, who is out indefinitely with what the team is calling a stress injury, a trade involving Zach LaVine could prove mutually beneficial.
While there’s a growing belief that LaVine could try to force a trade out west, many feel it’s illogical for the Bulls to hit the rebuild button while the current season is still in progress.
Chicago can’t send LaVine anywhere until January 15th at the earliest, so the next few weeks will prove pivotal for the franchise ahead of the February trade deadline. An extended feeling out period is likely in the cards as Bulls GM Marc Eversley weighs his options for the future of the franchise.
Eastern Conference executives have reportedly done their due diligence on the matter, but the common belief is players such as Demar DeRozan or Alex Caruso are more likely to be moved in season, while LaVine could be shopped next summer.
However, recent reports have also begun to surface suggesting that LaVine and the Bulls aren’t “seeing eye to eye” and that several teammates have grown frustrated with the mercurial forward of late. Things allegedly got testy between several Bulls players and LaVine in their Dec 18th loss to the Timberwolves.
With Chicago currently pressed against the luxury tax threshold, one has to figure the club will be looking for expiring contracts, picks, young players, and would have to involve them taking on less salary in any potential deals.
While a Rudy Gobert-esque haul for LaVine seems far-fetched, if Chicago does indeed elect to move on from their star, they’ll likely point towards Dejounte Murray’s deal as a starting point.
Outside of Los Angeles, LaVine has also recently been linked to the Knicks, Raptors and Mavericks as well.
With 12 games on their schedule between now and January 15th, Chicago’s season will officially pass the halfway point, and should also provide further clarity as to whether they’re in the playoff mix or not.
And if they find themselves on the outside looking in come January, expect the rumour mill to hit overdrive in the midwest.
-Iggy Gonzales
Photo: Erik Drost. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.