Sometimes in life, you have to take what you can get – even if it isn’t very much. That’s true in the NBA as well. A team may want to trade a player, and in the end, they may have to accept less than they’d hoped for in return for him.
That may be the case for the Chicago Bulls. Zach LaVine is supposed to be their franchise player. At the deadline, it seemed like they might move him. In the end, LaVine suffered an injury that has kept him on the Bulls.
At the same time, the Bulls weren’t expected to receive a haul for LaVine. His trade value is allegedly low. Could the Brooklyn Nets take a chance on him?
NBA Trade Proposal
Chicago Bulls Receive: F/C Ben Simmons, G/F Dariq Whitehead
Brooklyn Nets Receive: G/F Zach LaVine
What happened to LaVine? How could this happen? Frankly, there are several explanations. Some are outside of LaVine’s – or the Bulls’ – control.
The market is not currently kind to sellers. Most contending teams have drained their assets. They don’t have a haul to offer the Bulls for LaVine, even if they wanted to offer them one.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls Updates
On the other hand, LaVine has developed into a somewhat one-dimensional volume scorer. He may not be the type of player teams would give everything up for in the first place. His long-term, expensive contract doesn’t help his value. Should the Nets be interested in him?
Why The Brooklyn Nets Do The Deal
The Nets are in a bit of a tough spot. They’re outside of the playoff picture. Unfortunately, they won’t be compensated for their shortcomings. The Nets owe control of the first round of their draft to the Houston Rockets through to 2027.
So, they’ve got every incentive to improve. This year, the Nets have suffered from a lack of half-court creation. From that perspective, LaVine would be an upgrade over Simmons.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls Updates
Sure, he’s a one-dimensional scorer. At least he can score. LaVine should improve this team’s attack. In the process, the Nets will have an easier time attracting stars – and this deal allows them to hang onto the assets they’ll need to trade for one. Should the Bulls help them set their future up?
Why The Chicago Bulls Do The Deal
The Bulls’ situation isn’t enviable either. LaVine is supposed to be their best player. If they put him on the trade market now, it’s unlikely that they’d receive a first-round pick for him.
Here, they’re at least moving off of his contract. Simmons’ deal will expire sooner than LaVine’s, so the Bulls will enjoy the financial flexibility they’re earning here. Besides, Simmons has looked like he could return to form if he could just get healthy.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls Updates
Meanwhile, they should also be happy to add Whitehead. He’s a player who is also plagued by injuries. Still, there were times when Whitehead was seen as a potential lottery pick during last year’s draft cycle. Even if he looks injury-prone, the Bulls will have to take what they can get.
