When an NBA team has a title window, they need to capitalize on it. It’s not going to be open forever. With that said, some teams have a wider window than others.
It boils down to the average age of the core. The league’s oldest teams have got to act now – they won’t be contending for long. By contrast, some young teams find themselves contending to. They don’t need to act with the same urgency – but they still need to act.
What about the Boston Celtics? They’re obvious title contenders. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are both young enough – the Celtics don’t necessarily need to rush. On the other hand, if they stagnate, players could grow unhappy. Could the Celtics get aggressive by acquiring Zach LaVine this summer?
The Trade Proposal
Chicago Bulls Receive: G Malcolm Brogdon, F/C Robert Williams III, G Payton Pritchard, C Luke Kornet, 2024 First-Round PIck (GSW via BOS), 2026 First-Round Pick (BOS), 2030 First-Round Pick (BOS)
Boston Celtics Receive: G/F Zach LaVine
Meanwhile, some title windows just won’t open. A team can think that they’ve built a contender – and be proven entirely wrong. We’ve seen this countless times in NBA history.
Did the Bulls believe that they’d built a contender? We’re not sure. Most experts didn’t peg a core group of LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Nikola Vucevic as serious title contenders. Still, they were supposed to be competitive. The Bulls profiled as an elite offensive team who would struggle in preventing points.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls & Boston Celtics Updates
It didn’t play out that way. Instead, the Bulls put a surprisingly stout defensive team together last season. It didn’t matter. The offense was dreadful, and the Bulls missed the playoffs. Should they accept that this title window isn’t going to open?
Why The Chicago Bulls Do The Deal
We think so. It seems obvious. This team didn’t just fall short of expectations. We’re not talking about a disappointing first-round exit. The 2022-23 season was disastrous for the Bulls.
Does that mean that they need to trade LaVine? Not necessarily. The Bulls could shop DeRozan and Vucevic, and retool around the younger LaVine. With that said, they won’t get a tremendous haul for either of those veterans. With that in mind, they’re not likely to have the resources to put a contender around LaVine.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls & Boston Celtics Updates
So, trading LaVine may be the best option. This would be a strong return if the Bulls agreed. Landing young, quality players like Williams III and Pritchard counts for a lot – but the three unprotected first-round picks count for more. Should the Celtics give all of that up for LaVine?
Why The Boston Celtics Do The Deal
If Williams III could stay healthy, this wouldn’t be a conversation. We wouldn’t be writing this article. Unfortunately, he can’t. Is that why the Celtics acquired Kristaps Porzingis this summer?
We’re not sure. Either way, Boston now has a relatively reliable frontcourt duo in Porzingis and Horford. Neither is as elite defensively as Williams III – when he’s healthy. Still, in light of his frequent injuries, the Celtics could see him as expendable if they’re upgrading their offense.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls & Boston Celtics Updates
This would be a tremendous upgrade. The Celtics are already formidable with their duo of Tatum and Brown. With an elite shot-creating guard like LaVine in the mix, they should be unguardable. If he’s available, the Celtics should pounce – their title window won’t be open forever.
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