The Los Angeles Lakers are interested in trading for Chicago Bulls stars Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso, according to Jovan Buha of The Athletic.
The Lakers can’t acquire all three players, so it will be interesting to see who the franchise pursues the hardest.
“The Lakers’ interest in LaVine is real — at the right price,” Buha wrote. “However, LaVine’s potential availability also hints at the possibility of a fire sale in Chicago, with the organization seemingly looking to finally pivot away from its longstanding mediocrity. If additional Bulls players become available, the Lakers would also have interest in DeMar DeRozan and/or former Laker Alex Caruso, according to multiple team sources.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Alex Caruso, Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls Updates
LaVine has the same agent (Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group) as Lakers stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis, DeRozan took part in meetings at LeBron’s house in the summer of 2021 when Los Angeles was looking for a third star and Caruso began his career with the Lakers and was part of the 2020 championship team.
LaVine is averaging 21.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.3 blocks on the season. He is open to parting ways with the Bulls, who are only 4-8 on the season. LaVine signed a five-year, $215.2 million contract with the Bulls in July 2022.
DeRozan, who grew up in California, is averaging 21.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.1 blocks. The veteran is in the final year of his contract.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Alex Caruso, Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls Updates
Finally, Caruso is averaging 8.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.8 blocks. He is one of the best defenders in the NBA and many people within the Lakers are upset the front office didn’t re-sign the All-NBA guard in the summer of 2021.
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