The NBA is a world of endless possibilities. Did you read one of our trade proposals recently and feel that it was unrealistic? Broaden your imagination.
This is the National Basketball Association. Anything can happen. Recently, the Chicago Bulls may not be feeling so optimistic. It’s being reported that there isn’t much of a market for Zach LaVine’s services.
LaVine has been linked to the Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Lakers, and…that’s about it. That isn’t exactly a robust market. Perhaps the Bulls need to get open-minded.
If we’re assuming that they’re going to make a traditional rebuilding trade, they may have limited options. With that said, if they were willing to attach draft capital to LaVine’s deal, they could open up some possibilities.
Could they acquire Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans?
NBA Trade Proposal: Chicago Bulls Land New Orleans Pelicans’ Zion Williamson
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: G/F Zach LaVine, 2027 First-Round Pick (CHI)
Chicago Bulls Receive: F Zion Williamson, G Kira Lewis Jr.
How did this happen? LaVine is an outlier athlete. He’s one of the more talented scorers in the NBA. Shouldn’t there be a market for his services?
Well, the mechanisms of the NBA’s trade market are complicated. A player’s value is determined by several factors. As talented as LaVine is, he doesn’t look like a first offensive option.
LaVine is prone to tunnel vision and bouts of inefficiency. He also provides little value on the defensive end of the floor. He also gets paid – a lot.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans, Chicago Bulls Updates
Teams may not be willing to give up much for a player on LaVine’s contract if he can’t carry their franchise. Still, the Bulls could probably find a first-round pick or an interesting young player for him.
Should they pivot towards Williamson instead?
Why The Chicago Bulls Do The Deal
The questions around Williamson have always been the same. Sure, he looks like an MVP candidate – when healthy. Unfortunately, Williamson has been among the most injury-prone players in the NBA.
Well, in 2023-24, he’s been healthy – and he hasn’t looked like an MVP candidate. Let’s not overreact. Williamson is likely rounding back into form.
We should trust the flashes that we’ve seen throughout his career. Williamson is capable of playing like the best offensive player on a contending NBA team. That’s why the Bulls are making this deal.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans, Chicago Bulls Updates
Is it a risk? You bet. If Williamson’s injury problems persist, the Bulls could regret this move. Still, given LaVine’s apparent trade value, it’s a risk worth taking if it’s on the table.
Should the Pelicans even make this offer?
Why The New Orleans Pelicans Do The Deal
Any team acquiring Williamson is incurring risk. Yet, there’s an extra layer of risk in New Orleans. It’s been rumored that he isn’t happy in the Big Easy for some time.
Williamson has always felt like a candidate to make a trade request. Here, we’ve got the Pelicans getting ahead of the issue. We’ve also got them landing a dynamic scoring guard. Granted, LaVine isn’t a top option.
In all likelihood, Brandon Ingram isn’t either. This deal leaves the Pelicans without a North Star. That’s fine. It also has them adding a potentially valuable unprotected first to a collection of draft capital that’s already impressive.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans, Chicago Bulls Updates
If Williamson isn’t happy in New Orleans, they’d have to entertain a move like this one. If nothing else, we wouldn’t rule out the possibility.
