Zach LaVine is one of the biggest names on the trade block and will likely be dealt before the Feb. 8 deadline. While the market dried up when he got hurt in November, the guard/forward is back on the court.
The Chicago Bulls were rumoured to blow up their team for a while, and LaVine could be the first domino to fall. The two-time All-Star is already receiving interest around the league. However, some teams have reportedly pulled out of talks, and most signs initially pointed toward LaVine becoming a Los Angeles Laker. Still, some dark horses and other teams remain potential destinations for the 28-year-old.
Los Angeles Lakers
The number one team constantly linked to LaVine is the Lakers. However, according to Malika Andrews of ESPN, there is “no momentum” towards Los Angeles acquiring him. Brian Windhorst of ESPN also reported that the team prefers to keep their depth instead of making a big move. Then there’s the hefty price tag for the star.
Even though the two sides aren’t close to reaching a deal, that doesn’t rule one out. The Lakers have struggled mightily since the In-Season Tournament and need to make a change. They desperately need another scoring option, especially with D’Angelo Russell’s drought and demotion to the bench.
While most signs indicate that the Lakers won’t make a move for LaVine, if there’s anything we know about the NBA trade deadline, it’s that anything can change. Los Angeles appears keen on keeping most of their rotation players, but a deal still may work. It would likely center around Russell, with salary fillers comprising the rest of the package. Rui Hachimura, Max Christie, Cam Reddish, and picks seem to be the most likely bargaining chips.
Ultimately, the possibility of a deal comes down to how desperate these teams are.
Golden State Warriors
A recent report by Sam Amico of Hoops Wire names the Golden State Warriors as a dark horse destination for LaVine. The Warriors have dealt with several significant issues during a profoundly disappointing season, currently sitting 12th in the Western Conference. The story of their year so far is injuries, suspensions, and unhappy players.
The most likely candidates to be included in a trade are Andrew Wiggins, Jonathan Kuminga, and Moses Moody. Wiggins has looked like a shell of himself this season, averaging career lows in points, assists, three-point percentage, and steals. As a result, the team is open to moving him. While Kuminga is displaying flashes of potential, recent reports that he “lost faith” in head coach Steve Kerr is not a good sign. He’s received more minutes since then, but he is an intriguing young player who can be used to help land a star like LaVine. Moody also shared a similar sentiment, as he is reportedly upset with his inconsistent role. He’s fallen out of the team’s rotation but could have a greater role on the Bulls.
A trade would make a lot of sense for both sides. Chicago gains some talented young prospects who fit their build. Meanwhile, Golden State has nowhere to go but up, and they can acquire another star to pair alongside their aging core as their championship window closes.
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings recently pulled out of trade talks for Pascal Siakam and shifted to different targets. As they look to make a deeper playoff run this season, the Kings are trying to add a third star to complement De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis.
The Bulls have already expressed interest in Kevin Huerter and Harrison Barnes. These names were thrown around in discussions for Siakam, so the Kings seem open to trading them. In particular, Chicago reportedly has their eye on Huerter. While the guard has struggled this season, he still offers sharpshooting and was a solid scorer for Sacramento last year. Likewise, Barnes’ scoring also took a noticeable dip, averaging just over 10 PPG this year. Still, Huerter offers three-point shooting for a bottom-10 team in that category in the league, and Barnes provides a veteran presence. A few more assets would also have to be thrown in to sweeten the deal.
Michael Sotto of HoopsHype said LaVine expressed interest in pairing up with Fox. If a deal built around Huerter is enough to entice the Bulls, then this trade could make all parties happy.
The Last Word on a Zach LaVine Trade
LaVine’s contract and injury history are two significant factors that cooled his market value. But he’s still a star player who will provide a substantial boost for whatever team he’s on. With the willingness from both sides for a trade, it seems that it’s only a matter of time before Chicago pulls the trigger.
