New Orleans Pelicans Receive: G Zach LaVine, C Luke Kornet

Chicago Bulls Receive: G Lonzo Ball, G Nickeil Alexander-Walker, F Nicolo Melli, LAL 2021 1st Round Pick (via NOP), WAS 2021 2nd Round Pick (via NOP), NOP 2024 1st Round Pick (Lottery-Protected)

Zach LaVine’s name has been brought up a lot in NBA trade rumors and much of it is because of the lack of success the Chicago Bulls have experienced over the years. The 25-year old guard is playing at the highest level of his NBA career now and if Chicago cannot turn things around quickly, he may want out and to be traded to a team that is invested in wanting to win now.

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. LaVine has been this organization’s only bright spot as they have won just 71 games since acquiring him, not including this season, as they have been rebuilding for years now.

Not only is he one of the hottest names on the trade market right now, but Zach LaVine is owed just $39M over the next two seasons. The Pelicans could easily free up the cap space to bring LaVine to New Orleans, giving them three young and high-level talents in the Western Conference. 

Both Lonzo Ball and Nickeil Alexander-Walker have been two key role players for the Pelicans so far this year, but they should be willing to part ways with both of them if they can get a player like Zach LaVine in-return. 

So far this year, Lonzo Ball has played quite well and is currently averaging 12.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.6 assists and is shooting 33.9% from three-point range. The Bulls desperately need another reliable point guard and Lonzo is definitely a guy they could build with for years to come. 

As could they do the same with Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who is having a breakout season. The second year guard ranks 5th on the Pelicans in scoring and is currently averaging 10.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists and is shooting 40.4% from the floor. Both Alexander-Walker and Ball are under 24-years old and have plenty of potential to be fantastic players in Chicago. 

Trading away Zach LaVine may not be ideal for the Bulls, but long-term, they could end up getting some great players to build an all-around sustainable, contending team. With that being said, let’s take a look at why exactly this trade benefits both Chicago and New Orleans.