It’s finally happening. The rest of the NBA has been waiting for the moment. The Chicago Bulls are going to blow it up.
It doesn’t look like it’s going to be a soft reset, either. For a while, the messaging from this front office suggested that Zach LaVine was untouchable.
Folks expected the Bulls to retool around the star scoring guard. Not anymore. Recent reports have suggested that the Bulls are finally open to moving LaVine.
This is not a drill. LaVine is on the trade block. There is a widespread consensus on who his suitors would be. Let’s take a closer look at each of them.
Los Angeles Lakers
Of course, the Los Angeles Lakers would like to add LaVine. Why wouldn’t they? He’s a dynamic shot-creating guard who spaces the floor. LaVine is also an elite athlete who would feast in transition alongside an elite playmaker.
In other words, he’s the perfect co-star for LeBron James. With that said, there are plenty of players that the Lakers may like. Acquiring them is a different question.
What do the Lakers have to offer the Bulls? This team is a bit light on draft capital. There should be a robust market for LaVine, and the Lakers may not be players in that market.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Unless they’re willing to move Austin Reaves, A package built around him, Rui Hachimura and as much draft capital as the Lakers can muster may get them through the door. Otherwise, the Bulls will have to look elsewhere.
Miami Heat
By contrast, the Miami Heat could present a compelling package. It would simply boil down to their willingness to move Tyler Herro. Should the Heat give him up in exchange for LaVine?
It’s certainly debatable. It’s worth noting that Herro is outplaying LaVine this season. Sure. On the other hand, LaVine’s entire body of work is stronger. In other words, this would be a difficult judgment call for Miami.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat Updates
After all, they’re unlikely to make a competitive offer for LaVine without including Herro. If they’re not willing to do that, the Bulls will have other suitors. This next one might have the most competitive package of all.
Philadelphia 76ers
This isn’t complicated for the Philadelphia 76ers. They’d simply take the package that they received for James Harden and reroute it directly to the Bulls. That’s simple enough. Is it something that the Sixers should do?
That’s another question. The Sixers have been rolling since they moved Harden. Tyrese Maxey is playing at an All-NBA level as the team’s lead guard. It’s fair to say that LaVine may not be the best fit. In the end, the Sixers may be better served to go after a 3-and-D wing.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
That isn’t Daryl Morey’s style. He’s known for chasing stars. Nobody should be surprised if he gets in on the LaVine sweepstakes. As for NBA fans, they should just be happy that those sweepstakes are finally taking place.
