One NBA writer has suggested that the Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves make a massive trade this offseason.
Jack Simone of BullsWire proposed that the Bulls trade shooting guard Zach LaVine to the Timberwolves for big man Karl-Anthony Towns.
“Perhaps the most eyebrow-raising option on this list, the Minnesota Timberwolves need a roster shake-up, and Karl-Anthony Towns trade rumors have swirled,” Simone wrote. “Could a LaVine for Towns swap work? It’s not perfect, but with Rudy Gobert in the middle and Anthony Edwards on the wing, LaVine would probably be a better fit.”
LaVine began his career with the Timberwolves. He was traded to the Bulls in the summer of 2017 in the blockbuster Jimmy Butler trade.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Karl-Anthony Towns, Chicago Bulls & Minnesota Timberwolves Updates
The Bulls have started contacting teams, quietly gauging the trade interest in LaVine, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports. LaVine signed a five-year, $215.2 million contract with the Bulls in July 2022.
“Wishful executives will keep their eyes peeled on Portland and Damian Lillard, but it’s the Chicago Bulls who have started contacting teams, quietly gauging the trade interest in Zach LaVine, league sources told Yahoo Sports,” Fischer wrote. “It remains to be seen just how willing Chicago is to part ways with LaVine, or if it receives a commensurate offer for his services. LaVine has four seasons remaining on his five-year, $215 million contract, and multiple teams have indicated the Bulls are holding a steep valuation for LaVine — one that’s likely to exceed what Washington can ultimately net for Bradley Beal.”
LaVine averaged 24.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists for the Bulls in 2022-23 while shooting 48.5% from the field, 37.5% from beyond the arc and 84.8% from the free-throw line. He will make $40 million next season.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Karl-Anthony Towns, Chicago Bulls & Minnesota Timberwolves Updates
NBA insider Darren “Doogie” Wolfson said on “The Scoop” podcast that the Timberwolves don’t have any traction on a Towns trade as of now. However, things could change this summer.
“I’m not ruling it out,” Wolfson said. “But what I can tell you in real-time is I’ve checked with two team’s front office executives very high up, two teams that make logical sense if the Wolves were to trade Karl-Anthony Towns. If they let the league know, ‘Hey, we’re interested in trading Karl-Anthony Towns,’ these two teams undoubtedly would at least inquire.
“Well, these two executives told me so far crickets. They have not had any trade dialogue with the Wolves.”
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