In the NBA, the best teams play on both ends of the floor. The best teams typically can dominate on offense or defense. Still, let’s be honest: offense is more fun to watch. It’s also arguably more important. If a team is going to commit to one end over the other, most often, they’ll want to commit to the offensive end.
Is that a recipe for an NBA title? In all likelihood, no. At the same time, let’s be honest again – every team in the NBA isn’t building towards a title. Some teams will be happy to win a playoff series or two. If that’s the type of team that you’re building, you might as well have fun while you’re doing it.
Take the Sacramento Kings. They had one of the best offenses in the NBA last year, but they struggled to prevent points. This team will be looking to take another leap next season. Most would have them doing so by acquiring some quality defensive players. Could they take the opposite route by acquiring Zach LaVine from the Chicago Bulls?
The Trade Proposal
Chicago Bulls Receive: F Harrison Barnes, G/F Kevin Huerter, F/C Trey Lyles, 2026 First-Round Pick (SAC), 2028 First-Round Pick (SAC)
Sacramento Kings Receive: G/F Zach LaVine
In all likelihood, the Bulls had a similar plan. When this team put LaVine, DeRozan, and Vucevic together, they must have thought they were building an elite offense at the expense of a good defense. Somehow, they were wrong on both fronts.
The Bulls had a surprisingly stout defense last season. Perhaps Alex Caruso deserves the lion’s share of the credit. Patrick Williams was a contributor as well. In the end, it didn’t matter. After all, it was the Bulls’ offense that just didn’t come together last season.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls & Sacramento Kings Updates
How did this happen? How is it possible that LaVine, DeRozan, and Vucevic couldn’t cobble together a top offense? Well, it seems like their chemistry was just off. Either way, the Bulls are left searching for answers. A lot of fans would have this team blow up their roster. Is this the right start for doing so?
Why The Chicago Bulls Do The Deal
Arguably, the Bulls have waited too long to blow up this core. Last summer, the league’s trade marker skewed towards sellers. Teams were getting unprecedented hauls for fringe stars. By now, the market has reset.
With that in mind, the Bulls should be happy to accept this deal. They’re still netting a pair of unprotected first-round picks. For what it’s worth, there are no guarantees that the Kings are going to contend into 2028 after making this deal. This pick could land anywhere – it could be a late first-rounder, but, it could be in the lottery.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls & Sacramento Kings Updates
Yet, that’s not all that the Bulls are getting in return for LaVine here. Kevin Huerter is an interesting addition if they’re rebuilding. He’s a plus-size off-guard with a lethal jumper who can defend a few positions. He’s young enough to grow with the Bulls if they’re going to rebuild. Should the Kings really part with him?
Why The Sacramento Kings Do The Deal
LaVine and Vucevic didn’t work. That doesn’t mean that LaVine and Domantas Sabonis can’t. Vucevic is a good passer, but Sabonis is a better one. His ability to set up teammates from the elbow or out of dribble hand-off sets should complement LaVine. With that said, that’s not the only reason that we’d be optimistic about this duo.
After all, De’Aaron Fox is no DeRozan, either. As talented as DeRozan is, Fox is more impactful at this stage in his career. To be more specific, Fox is an outlier athlete who can put elite pressure on the opposing team’s rim. That will open up space for LaVine, who can be described similarly. With Sabonis setting up these two explosive guards, the Kings will be even more difficult to guard than they already were.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls & Sacramento Kings Updates
Will they be able to stop anyone? No. The Kings are downgrading defensively by flipping Huerter for LaVine. The offensive trade-off should be worth their time. If nothing else, this will be a lot of fun.
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