The worst place for an NBA team to be is in the middle. No team wants to land on the mediocrity treadmill. If your team isn’t in contention for the NBA title, you want them to be in contention for the number one pick in the next draft.
At least, that’s some people’s logic. Everyone doesn’t follow it. Some would hold that it’s best to maintain a competitive program. If you do so, improvement will come in time. The players on your team will improve, and better players will be interested in joining them. For a long time, this has been the logic that the Indiana Pacers have employed.
Frankly, it depends on the age of your core players. The Pacers’ most important player is Tyrese Haliburton. Given his age, they can justify being in the middle. They don’t need to seek a franchise player through the draft. By contrast, the aging Chicago Bulls should be trying to fight their way out of the league’s middle class. Could they start by sending Zach LaVine to the Pacers?
The Trade Proposal
Chicago Bulls Receive: G/F Buddy Hield, F/C Daniel Theis, G TJ McConnell, G/F Benedict Mathurin, 2026 First-Round Pick (IND), 2028 First-Round Pick
Indiana Pacers Receive: G/F Zach LaVine
On the other hand, maybe the league’s middle isn’t such a bad place to be. Just ask a fan of a tanking team. A 35-win season may feel like a death sentence to some, but it would be a blessing to a fan of the Detroit Pistons or the Houston Rockets.
Yet, even fans of those teams shouldn’t complain too much. The Pacers have a young superstar in Haliburton, but the Rockets and Pistons each have several potential superstars on their rosters. It all begs a question: is there any bad place for an NBA team to be in?
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Indiana Pacers & Chicago Bulls Updates
In a sense, no. Being asset-strapped is unfortunate, but even then, random events change a team’s fortunes. If they don’t have their own first-round picks moving forward, a player could take an unexpected star turn. In the end, there are several ways to build a team, and none is a surefire method of success. Should the Bulls blow their team up?
Why The Chicago Bulls Do The Deal
We know what you’re thinking. Two first-round picks? For Zach LaVine? Well, you’re not considering a couple of factors. Firstly, the Bulls are getting Mathurin here. He’s much younger, and he’s got star potential. This could be a building block for the Bulls moving forward.
Secondly, the NBA trade market is resetting. Look at some of the deals we saw this summer. Teams are less inclined to send out multiple unprotected firsts than they were during last year’s offseason. This is probably market value for a player of LaVine’s abilities.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Indiana Pacers & Chicago Bulls Updates
Besides, the Bulls mostly control their own draft fortunes moving forward. Yes, they owe their 2025 pick to the San Antonio Spurs – with top-10 protections. If Chicago wants to tank, they can easily hold onto that pick. This deal gives them a fresh start. Should the Pacers give them that start?
Why The Indiana Pacers Do The Deal
Frankly, we’re not sure. If the Pacers wanted to take a more gradual approach to rebuilding, that would be reasonable. With that said, the Pacers seldom take a gradual approach to rebuilding. Usually, they opt to be as competitive as they can.
If they intent on continuing down that path, LaVine would be a perfect addition to this roster. He’s a scoring-minded off-guard, but he goes about his business efficiently. With an elite playmaker running point in Haliburton, that’s all the Pacers need from their other starting guard. This would be an optimal, well-balanced backcourt.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Indiana Pacers & Chicago Bulls Updates
How far would it carry Indiana? We’re not sure. This deal could have the Pacers careening toward a first-round exit. On the other hand, if Haliburton and LaVine develop the right chemistry, they could carry the Pacers further. Who knows? They could pull them out of the league’s middle.
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