One NBA writer is proposing that the Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks make a blockbuster trade centered around Zach LaVine and Trae Young. Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Bulls and Hawks:
Trade idea: Chicago Bulls trade Zach LaVine and 2027 first-round pick to Atlanta Hawks for Trae Young
“That’s why Chicago should poke around for a Young trade, particularly since Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer reported that Atlanta’s front office ‘has the green light from ownership to do whatever it wants to with the roster.’ The Hawks, who have struggled to field a competent defense throughout Young’s tenure, could see some value in getting bigger in the backcourt while still fielding former All-Stars at both guard spots with LaVine and Dejounte Murray,” Buckley wrote in his latest NBA trade column.
“Meanwhile, Young might be a savvy enough playmaker to connect all of the dots on this Chicago team. Opposing teams would face a series of tough decisions trying to wrangle Young, DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vučević on offense, and maybe head coach Billy Donovan could summon the same magic that helped this offense-leaning roster land a surprising fifth in defensive efficiency last season.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks, Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls Updates
Young averaged 26.2 points, 3.0 rebounds and 10.2 assists last season for the Hawks while shooting 42.9% from the floor, 33.5% from beyond the arc and 88.6% from the free-throw line. The two-time All-Star was ninth in the NBA in total points, 10th in points per game, first in total assists and second in assists per game.
The Hawks lost to the Boston Celtics in the first round of the 2023 playoffs in six games. Young averaged 29.2 points, 3.7 boards and 10.2 assists in the six-game series. The Texas native has career NBA averages of 25.5 points, 3.7 rebounds and 9.3 assists.
Meanwhile, 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.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks, Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls Updates
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.
LaVine has career NBA averages of 20.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Bulls.
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