Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls have not made the NBA Playoffs since the 2016-17 NBA season and have not been legit threats in the league since 2011 when they made the Eastern Conference Finals. If we want to be really harsh on the Bulls, they honestly have not been a threat since Michael Jordan led Chicago to their sixth NBA championship in 1998.
Through the draft, the Bulls have added a solid amount of youthful talent who have plenty of potential to bring the Bulls back to the playoffs, but they have not had the right coaching and management around them. Now, after bringing in Billy Donovan, Chicago is trending in the right direction as a franchise, but may need to move their All-Star level player in Zach LaVine.
It is likely that it will take a couple of years with Donovan for the Bulls to make it back to the playoffs and even at that rate, they will not be legit threats to be contenders in the Eastern Conference. As a result, Zach LaVine may request a trade from the Bulls to join a legit title contender in the NBA.
The Mavericks seem like the best fit for LaVine if he does indeed hit the market, but the Bulls have not made the decision if they are willing to move on from the 25-year old wing. Zach LaVine is coming off his best statistical season in the NBA after averaging 25.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists and shooting 45.0% from the floor and 38.0% from deep. LaVine can be an All-Star level talent with the right team and be a part of a “super-team” type roster.
LeBron James has Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant has Kyrie, Kawhi has PG13 and Luka has Porzingis. Zach LaVine is not the type of player who will be the number one option on a legit title contender, but he can easily be Robin to someone else’s Batman. Pairing LaVine with Luka and Porzingis would make the Mavericks a very dangerous and young team in the Western Conference, but what about the Milwaukee Bucks?
They are trying to do everything they can to persuade Giannis Antetokounmpo to resign with the Bucks, so why not go out and acquire an All-Star level talent with athletic abilities like Zach LaVine? From the Bucks perspective, no draft picks are more valuable than keeping Giannis Antetokounmpo from leaving so why not go “all-in” for him and bring in LaVine? Jrue Holiday, Zach LaVine, Khris Middleton and Giannis would cost the Bucks a fair amount of money and cost them luxury taxes for sure, but that is a legit championship contending team for years to come.
Everything depends on if Chicago is willing to move Zach LaVine, but if they are, he could be the storyline of the NBA season. If he is traded, whoever acquires him could be a legit threat to win the 2021 NBA Finals.
