By now, every fan in the NBA is expecting the Chicago Bulls to move Zach LaVine. It feels inevitable. The Bulls are disappointing – again – and need to rebuild. Unfortunately, trading LaVine may be easier said than done.
Apparently, his trade value has hit a low. This isn’t surprising. LaVine is a remarkably talented scorer, but he’s paid like a superstar. LaVine isn’t a player you can build your team around. With that in mind, why would teams want to shoulder his enormous contract?
Fair. On the other hand, the Bulls should be able to find a deal for LaVine. It may be the case that they don’t get the type of return that they’d hope for in return for their star guard.
Could the Golden State Warriors make a move for him?
NB Trade Proposal: Golden State Warriors Land Chicago Bulls’ Zach LaVine
Chicago Bulls Receive: G/F Klay Thompson, 2026 First-Round Pick (GSW)
Golden State Warriors Receive: G/F Zach LaVine
It’s normal for a player’s value to fluctuate. Moreover, the market fluctuates. Look at some of the deals that we saw last summer.
The Utah Jazz received four unprotected first-round picks in exchange for Rudy Gobert. If the Minnesota Timberwolves put him on the trade market now, let’s just say that they wouldn’t receive a comparable return.
It’s not fair to compare LaVine and Gobert. They’re vastly different players. LaVine is an offensive star. If he’s not, at worst, your third option, he’s not providing much value.
By contrast, Gobert is a complementary player as an elite defensive anchor. Still, there’s something instructive about the comparison.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls, Golden State Warriors Updates
After all, their contracts are extremely comparable. They’re both ranked in the same vicinity across the NBA. Somewhere along the line, the market changed – to the detriment of the Bulls.
Should the Warriors make a move for LaVine anyway?
Why The Golden State Warriors Do The Deal
Klay Thompson’s market has changed as well. That’s got nothing to do with league-wide trends. Thompson hasn’t returned to form since a brutal injury. At his age, it’s doubtful that he ever will.
That’s a problem for the Warriors. Thompson is due for an extension this summer. Apparently, the team is unlikely to offer him the type of deal that he’s looking for.
If that’s true, the Warriors may want to move him before they can’t get anything in return for him. Does that mean they should flip him with a pick for LaVine?
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls, Golden State Warriors Updates
Not necessarily. At the same time, this should be a tremendous upgrade for the Warriors. LaVine has been overtaxed as a first option in Chicago, but alongside Steph Curry’s gravity, his efficiency should spike.
Adding LaVine would make the Warriors much more difficult to guard. Should the Bulls move him for this return?
Why The Chicago Bulls Do The Deal
The Bulls are in a difficult spot. In theory, they’re losing this trade. In practice, they can’t afford to simply hang onto LaVine in hopes of a bigger return. After all, that return probably isn’t coming.
Ask yourself a question – who is giving up multiple firsts for LaVine? He’s too old for a rebuilding team to make a move for. Contending teams probably can’t add him to their salary sheet.
LaVine’s market seems to have dried up, and it’s hard to imagine how that will change. So, they’ll take a first-round pick and an expiring contract.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls, Golden State Warriors Updates
It’s better than nothing. One way or another, the Bulls have to trade LaVine – and everybody knows it.
