When an NBA prospect has Victor Wembanyama’s upside, teams plan around him. They will tank to land him. Once the order of the draft is announced, it’s over.
You know the rest. The San Antonio Spurs earned the right to select Wembanyama. This feels like a perfect fit. Wembanyama grew up a fan of this organization.
He’s living his childhood dream, and the Spurs are happy to help him live it. How should the Spurs proceed? That’s up for debate. They could rebuild slowly around Wembanyama.
On the other hand, if they wanted to, they could consider making a win-now trade to accelerate their timeline.
Could they make that trade for Zach LaVine of the Chicago Bulls?
NBA Trade Proposal: San Antonio Spurs Land Chicago Bulls’ Zach LaVine
Chicago Bulls Receive: F Keldon Johnson, G Devonte’ Graham, G/F Cedi Osman, 2025 First-Round Pick (ATL via SAS), 2029 First-Round Pick (Swap – SAS)
San Antonio Spurs Receive: G/F Zach LaVine
Some teams besides the Spurs tanked with Wembanyama in mind. They didn’t land him. Should they regret that decision?
Realistically, no. Sure, Wembanyama is the most exciting NBA prospect since LeBron James. He may change basketball.
On the other hand, rebuilding teams around the NBA still have impressive young talent. They missed Wembanyama, but the draft was full of quality consolation prizes. The Bulls missed out on each of them.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs Updates
Many fans wanted them to rebuild but insisted on fielding a mediocre team instead. They’re expected to blow up their roster, and Wembanyama has already been drafted.
Is it worth it?
Why The Chicago Bulls Do The Deal
Sure. Wembanyama may be off the table. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t some quality options out there. In the next draft, players like Ron Holland and Alexander Sarr will certainly tempt the Bulls.
Besides, they’ll likely be in the lottery for a few years. In 2025, Cooper Flagg will be heading to the NBA. He may not be Wembanyama, but he’s already regarded as a franchise talent.
More broadly, there is constant talent coming into the league. It’s time for the Bulls to start targeting that talent. Still, that’s not all that they’re doing here.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs Updates
They’re also landing Keldon Johnson. He’s a young player with some star upside. Should the Spurs part with him?
Why The San Antonio Spurs Do The Deal
This would be a bold move for the Spurs. We might not advocate for it if Johnson didn’t feel expendable to them. With that said, he does.
Johnson is very similar to Devin Vassell and seems to be a cornerstone in San Antonio. That doesn’t mean that the two can’t co-exist. They can. Still, the Spurs may benefit from diversifying their roster.
At the same time, they’re doing a lot more than that with this trade. They’re landing a star guard. We think it’s worth their time. LaVine has been overtaxed as the first option in Chicago; He should thrive as a second option.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs Updates
The gamble for the Spurs is that Wembanyama will reach his prime before LaVine ages out of his. Given his immense potential, we think that’s likely.
