ESPN Calls For Wild Blockbuster Trade Between Bulls and Lakers
The NBA trade deadline is one week from today. After signing a five-year max contract worth over $216 million, Zach LaVine finds himself in several trade rumors just six months later. According to Jake Fischer from Yahoo Sports, the Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, and Dallas Mavericks are all rumored to be interested in trading for Zach LaVine.
ESPN Insider Zach LaVine Trade Packages
Bulls Trade: Zach LaVine, Lonzo Ball, Javonte Green
Lakers Trade: Russell Westbrook, Patrick Beverley, Max Christie, 2027 & 2029 first-round unprotected picks
This seems like an absolute dream scenario for the Lakers. They would be able to acquire a young backcourt to build around alongside Anthony Davis once LeBron James officially retires in a few years. In the short term, perhaps LaVine could make enough of a difference for the Lakers to make a serious playoff push in the west. For the Bulls, this deal makes little to no sense. They could likely acquire both of the Lakers’ picks with just LaVine since Rudy Gobert and Dejounte Murray reset the trade market for lower-tier stars.
Bulls Trade: Lonzo Ball and Coby White
Raptors Trade: Fred VanVleet and Malachi Flynn
This trade makes a lot more sense for both teams. The Raptors and Bulls are underperforming this year and will likely make a significant change. Fred VanVleet, an Illinois kid, has been rumored to get traded before the deadline. VanVleet is an undersized point guard who played an essential role in the Raptors winning the 2019 NBA championship. With only one All-Star appearance in his career, acquiring him wouldn’t cost a haul. If the Raptors can get Lonzo Ball’s medical reports and feel comfortable that he’ll be able to play next season. This is an ideal trade for them to build their roster around Scottie Barnes and Pascal Siakam. The Bulls could finally replace Lonzo Ball with an All-Star caliber player and make another playoff run with Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Nikola Vucevic.
Additional Zach LaVine Trade Ideas
As Yahoo Sports mentioned, other playoff-contending teams are looking to get their hands on Zach LaVine. For the right price, the Bulls should consider accepting their fate before it’s too late.
Bulls Trade: Zach LaVine, Coby White, Andre Drummond, and Tony Bradley
Knicks Trade: RJ Barrett, Obi Toppin, Evan Fournier, and Derrick Rose
The Bulls would receive an excellent young trade package mixed with veteran players to help them this season, but more importantly, they can build their future. It’s tough to take on Derrick Rose’s $14 million salary, but a trade like this could put the fan base at ease after a shaky start to the Arturas Karnisovas era. The Knicks would happily accept a ‘star’ player like LaVine to pair next to Jalen Brunson. LaVine wouldn’t be moving the needle too much for the Knicks since the team has plenty of scoring depth on their team, but he could help them make a deeper playoff push.
Bulls Trade: Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic
Heat Trade: Bam Adebayo, Duncan Robinson, Tyler Herro
The Bulls have failed to reach a contract extension with Nikola Vucevic, which is the direct result of him being in several trade rumors ahead of the deadline. The Bulls seem to be far apart in negotiations, and the last thing they’d want to see is Vucevic walk in free agency after overpaying to acquire him two years ago. The Bulls could receive a young superstar talent like Bam Adebayo in exchange for two fringe All-Star caliber players. Both teams would consider themselves lucky if a deal like this were to be completed.