NBA insider Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium expects the Los Angeles Lakers to pursue a Zach LaVine trade with the Chicago Bulls.
LaVine and the Bulls are open to parting ways and LaVine has the same agent (Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group) as Lakers stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
LaVine would like to land with the Lakers, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, San Antonio Spurs or Sacramento Kings, according to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports. The two-time All-Star doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract, so he can’t control where he gets traded.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS:Â Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
The Lakers’ most significant concern in a potential LaVine trade is his contract. In addition to his $40.1 million salary for this season, LaVine is owed $138 million over the next three years. The two-time Slam Dunk Contest champion has a $49 million player option for the 2026-27 season.
LaVine, who scored a career-high 51 points on October 28 against the Detroit Pistons, is averaging 22.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists while shooting 45.3% from the floor, 34.4% from 3 and 86.6% from the free-throw line. The UCLA product signed a five-year, $215 million contract in the offseason of 2022.
The most likely framework of a LaVine deal for the Lakers would center around D’Angelo Russell, who waived his implied no-trade clause this past offseason. It’d also likely need to feature Rui Hachimura and/or Austin Reaves and either the team’s 2029 or 2030 first-round pick.
The Lakers would likely have to wait until at least December 15, when most of their roster becomes trade-eligible, to acquire LaVine.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS:Â Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
The Lakers’ reported trade interest in LaVine at this early juncture of the season is best described as TBD, according to NBA insider Marc Stein. LA is currently focused on internal improvement. The front office believes the returns of Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent will be major boosts.
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