Zach LaVine – Chicago Bulls
Given the Bulls’ lack of success through the years, Zach LaVine has become a player that has been involved in a lot of NBA trade rumors and scenarios. The Bulls have not made the playoffs in three consecutive seasons now, but over that time span, he has been getting better and better.
Since joining the Bulls, Zach LaVine has been their best player year-in and year-out, averaging 22.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.2 steals and shooting 43.3% from the floor and 36.5% from three-point range. He has been this organization’s only bright spot as they have won just 71 games since acquiring him as they have been rebuilding for years now.
It’s clear that Zach LaVine was on the verge of making his first All-Star game last season after averaging 25.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists and shooting 45% from the floor and 38% from three-point range.
This season, there is no reason Zach LaVine should not be an All-Star, as he is averaging 26.9 points per game and is shooting 41.6% from three-point range. The 25-year old guard could be an excellent addition for the Celtics and with their trade exception, they would not have to free up too much cap space to land him.
Ultimately, the Celtics may have to part with their defensive star Marcus Smart, but adding a dynamic scorer to a team that already has Kemba Walker, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum gives the Celtics the firepower they need to contend for a championship. If the Celtics were to make this trade, outside of the Nets, Boston would have one of the best offensive teams in the league.
Zach LaVine is a guy who can score in bunches and with other high-level talents around him, he could be a championship-level player. In Chicago, he has no chance to win and even if they made the playoffs by some rare chance, they would be nothing more than a first-round exit.
Having the cap space to land him and with him only being owed $19.5M this season, Zach LaVine would be an excellent addition for the Celtics and could be the key player they need in order to finally win their 18th championship.
