One NBA writer is proposing that the Orlando Magic acquire Zach LaVine from the Chicago Bulls in a blockbuster trade. Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade between the Magic and Bulls:
The Trade: Zach LaVine to the Orlando Magic for Jonathan Isaac, Gary Harris, Jalen Suggs, a 2025 first-round pick (top-three protected) and a 2025 first-round pick (top-five protected, via DEN)
“While Chicago has bought into this core for now, it might have to prioritize the future at some point sooner than later,” Buckley wrote in his latest NBA trade column. “This trade would be a massive step in that direction, both by getting LaVine’s deal off the books and delivering a pair of future firsts, plus Suggs, the No. 5 pick of the 2021 draft who has started slow but still offers plenty of promise at both ends. Harris could be a plug-and-play option—unless the Bulls routed him elsewhere for additional assets—and his high-effort defense and low-maintenance offense would make him an easy fit alongside DeMar DeRozan.
“The perpetually injured Isaac (45 games played the past four seasons combined) is strictly a money-matcher here, though Chicago might hold out hope of the 25-year-old finally getting healthy and becoming an impact defender again.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Orlando Magic, Chicago Bulls Updates
LaVine has appeared in 348 games with the Bulls. He’s averaging 24.5 points with Chicago and has made two All-Star teams. However, the Bulls have won only one playoff game since acquiring LaVine from the Minnesota Timberwolves in the summer of 2017 in the blockbuster Jimmy Butler trade.
The 28-year-old LaVine averaged 24.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists for the Bulls in 2022-23. He will make $40 million next season. Chicago missed the playoffs last season after making it in 2022, which is why some NBA execs thought the franchise would rebuild this offseason.
LaVine is “not happy” his name keeps coming up in trade rumors, a league source told NBA Analysis Network. The Bulls have engaged several teams on LaVine trade opportunities since the 2022-23 season ended and the two-time Slam Dunk champion isn’t pleased by that.
“Zach is not happy he keeps seeing his name pop up in trade rumors year after year,” the NBA source said. “He’s represented the Bulls and the city of Chicago very well. He’s made two All-Star teams. He helped them get back to the playoffs. He’s played through several injuries. He hasn’t been a locker room cancer. For whatever reason, the Bulls keep dangling him in trade talks and it’s rubbing him the wrong way.”
The source went on to say that he wouldn’t be surprised if LaVine doesn’t finish his contract with the Bulls. The UCLA product signed a five-year, $215.2 million deal with Chicago in July 2022.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Orlando Magic, Chicago Bulls Updates
The Magic went 34-48 last season. They could make the playoffs if LaVine was added next to Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Wendell Carter Jr.
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