The trade market in the NBA is going to pick up very soon. After the NBA In-Season Tournament concludes later this week in Las Vegas, a very important date in the league’s calendar will occur in the following days.
December 15th is an important one for all NBA teams as that is the date most free agents become eligible to be traded. As a result, the market for teams looking to make a trade vastly expands as the number of players eligible to be moved increases exponentially.
One of the teams that many people are keeping an eye on is the Chicago Bulls. It has been rumored for weeks that a rebuild is on the horizon in the Windy City and some of their current key core players could be on the move.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons Updates
The player many people thought would have the strongest market was shooting guard Zach LaVine. However, to this point, he seems to be lower down on the pecking order compared to some of his teammates when it comes to value around the league.
But, there have still been a few teams linked to the two-time All-Star. The most recent franchise that could look to swing a deal for him? According to ESPN NBA front office insider Bobby Marks on Sirius XM NBA Radio with Brian Geltzeiler and Sam Mitchell, that team could be the Detroit Pistons.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if Detroit dipped their toe into the Zach LaVine [market],” Marks said during his appearance on the show.
At 2-18 and riding a 17-game losing streak, the Pistons certainly need all of the help they can get. They are a very young team that could use some more established players to help bring everything together in what has been a disastrous start to the Monty Williams era in the Motor City.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons Updates
The Pistons actually looked like they were turning a corner out of the gate, winning two in a row after losing opening night. But after going winless in November, something drastic has to occur because this team is going nowhere fast.
While LaVIne probably wouldn’t be thrilled about landing in Detroit, he would be a huge upgrade for the team. He would provide them with a go-to scorer, someone who can help take pressure off of the inefficient, young players on the team.
Would Detroit be willing to meet the asking price Chicago is likely to set? That is another question entirely. Shipping out assets, likely draft capital, when your team is performing as badly as the Pistons currently are, isn’t normally the course of action. But, they need a shake-up and LaVine would certainly qualify as such.
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