One NBA writer is proposing that the Utah Jazz acquire Zach LaVine from the Chicago Bulls.
Sam Vecenie of The Athletic proposed the following trade idea between the Jazz and Bulls:
The Trade: Zach LaVine for Talen Horton-Tucker, Collin Sexton, Ochai Agbaji and two first-round picks
The Bulls and LaVine are open to parting ways. LaVine would like to land with the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, Sacramento Kings or San Antonio Spurs, according to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, but the two-time All-Star can’t control where he gets traded since he doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls, Utah Jazz Updates
Vecenie thinks the Jazz should trade for LaVine since the team needs another explosive scorer next to Lauri Markkanen. LaVine and Markkanen were teammates on the Bulls for four seasons, so they already know how to play together.
“Do the Jazz want to bottom out, or do they want to take a step forward in the present? They have a legitimate top-20 player in the league in Lauri Markkanen, as well as other interesting long-term frontcourt starters. But their backcourt has been arguably the worst in the league to start the season, and they’re dead last in the league with a 17.7 turnover rate,” Vecenie wrote. “LaVine would be an enormous upgrade on that spot and would form a strong one-two punch with Markkanen.
“Acquiring LaVine would better position Utah to make at least the 2023-24 Play-In Tournament and allow that selection to transfer during a down draft year. Honestly, Utah makes a lot of sense to me.”
LaVine, who is represented by Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group, is averaging 21.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists this season while shooting 43.1% from the field, 33.9% from beyond the arc and 87.2% from the free-throw line. The UCLA product scored 51 points in October versus the Detroit Pistons.
The Jazz would have a “Big 4” of LaVine, Markkanen, Walker Kessler and John Collins if Utah’s front office figured out a way to acquire LaVine from Chicago.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls, Utah Jazz Updates
LaVine is making $40.1 million this season. He signed a five-year, $215.2 million contract with the Bulls in July 2022.
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