The Bulls have begun reaching out to rival teams to gauge the trade value of star guard Zach LaVine, league sources tell Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.
Multiple teams have told Fischer that the Bulls highly value the 28-year-old, so it sounds like their calls have been more exploratory and that no deal is imminent. Still, it’s noteworthy that Chicago is weighing its options, as LaVine would presumably be one of the top players on the trade market.
LaVine re-signed with Chicago last summer on a five-year, $215MM contract. He’s still owed $178MM over the next four seasons, including a $49MM player option in 2026/27.
A two-time All-Star, LaVine had a relatively slow start to the 2022/23 campaign — at least by his lofty standards — following knee surgery last offseason. He averaged 22.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.2 assists on .452/.375/.813 shooting over his first 30 games (34.8 minutes per contest).
However, he regained his explosiveness and prior form over the remainder of the season, averaging 26.5 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.3 assists on .505/.375/.862 shooting in his final 47 regular season games (36.7 minutes).
LaVine has emerged as one of the league’s marquee scorers and shooters over the past five seasons, averaging 25.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists on .477/.388/.838 shooting over that span. That’s not to say he doesn’t have some weaknesses, however, particularly off-ball defense and on-ball decision-making.
The Bulls entered the play-in tournament as the No. 10 seed in the East in ’22/23 and won their first game in Toronto. But the club came up short in a close loss to the Heat, who went on to make the NBA Finals as the No. 8 seed.
Chicago’s front office faces a difficult offseason, as Lonzo Ball‘s career appears to be in jeopardy following a third major knee surgery. DeMar DeRozan is entering the final year of his contract, while Nikola Vucevic is an impending free agent — the Bulls have reportedly discussed an extension with the veteran center.
The Knicks should offer Randle, Fournier and draft picks for Levine. Levine would make them a significantly better team with the subtraction of Randle. Obi can take the starting power forward slot left open and show on a nightly basis his abilities especially because he’s shown his potential when starting the past three seasons. I hope the Knicks don’t offer Obi instead. That would be an old Knick regime move always getting fleased in trades. Start ringing that phone Knicks.
No thanks
Three 1sts might make that a conversation.
So Randle, Fournier, and three 1sts for Lavine? I think you’re seriously overvaluing Lavine. He’s won nothing in this league, has a lot of weaknesses, and his contract is massive.
…and a superhero landing away from another major knee operation. Plus, he would stunt the growth of Grimes, who is by far a better defensive player.
I want a 1st just for taking Fournier at all, and I’m apparently the low man on Randle. He’s the #3 on a championship team whereas I think Lavine is a #2. Say what you want about Lavine’s weaknesses, but check the stats–he’s a 3 level scorer on efficiency, not some run of the mill chucker. Say what you want about losing, but nobody who isn’t a top 10 player in the world was winning squat with any roster he’s ever been on. His only glaring weakness is off ball defense, and with the right scheme, coaching, and guys around him that can be masked. Plus the Knicks own picks project to be late 1sts anyways. So yeah that would be my ask, because he’s only entering his age 28 season and he has 4 years left–the Bulls really don’t need to trade him now. They can trade Demar, Caruso, etc. and shuffle some things up for a year or two before they’re in a position where they have to trade him.
And for all you have to say about Zach being a losing player, let’s not ignore Randle’s disappearing act in both playoffs he’s been in with the Knicks.
Fournier just an expiring deal. Certainly wouldn’t cost a first to take. It’s just a bad proposal anyway because it doesnt really make them better.
I don’t see the Bulls wanting Randle. This would likely have to be a three team trade that would reroute Julius somewhere else, and likely cost the Knicks a young player plus three draft picks to get it done.
I don’t see the Knicks giving up those picks and a youngling for an oversized contract that can cripple the team if he goes down.
DAngelo Russell would make a great Chicago Bull
Was he a great Los Angeles Laker?
Actually yes
17.9 ppg 2.9 rpb 6.1 apg on .484/.414/.735 stat line
Russell would be a nice offensive addition to derozan in the back court.
I’d definitely explore LaVine trades, resigns Vuce, sign Russell plus other guys to deepen the roster.
That and possibly explore acquiring anunoby with stuff they get for LaVine.
He was even better in the playoffs when he got benched.
Quickley, Rose, Toppin, plus a #1 pick …..
DeRozan to the Knicks.
Terrible. Two role players, a vet almost out of the league, and a mid to late 1st.
Pass.
A starting PG a starting PF and a #1 pick.
Plus Rose mentors team as he plays his last yrs. To retire a Bull ….
Only role playing here. Is you acting like can play.
For a guy who they won’t resign ….
As a Bulls fan I actually don’t hate it. Quickley is a good young player and idk how much better they’d do than him and Toppin and a 1st for one year of Demar. Rose is just salary filler. I don’t think anyone is giving up two 1sts for Demar.
@JBHoops: Derozan has only one year left on his deal. That offer is more than fair for one season of Derozan.
What is up with your love for DDR? Quickley will be a better player than him within two years. Maybe even this year.
Nah
Knick: as bulls fans i love it but i dont think knick will do that. Toppin and quickley have good future.
Salary won’t work, and neither would DeRozen.
Good trade. Could DeRozan be had for slightly less? But it’s a good proposal. Rose to the Bulls makes sense.
I would Say that, with Ayo Dosunmu especially, and Coby White -who.might be traded, I’d think- Quickley is redundant. The three, off guards with very good scoring punch ,(ala Lou Will, or Jamal Crawford in Best scenario). Microwave scoring guards, who.make ideal sixth man types.
Rose to the bulls makes sense, but the Knicks could just turn down his option and let him go back on a min. Use Fournier as the matching salary.
Good
Daryl Morey of the Sixers needs to get on the phone and find out what is bouncing and get a deal done
Bulls should call up Portland and see if they could get that third pick and simons
I am certain that this is the main reason why they are “testing” his trade market. They will take #3 and Simons in a package for Zach. You don’t move Zach unless you are exploring a rebuild.
Rebuilder, small market, injury history, over-sized contract…
Lavine is almost untradeable.
Dallas has Bertans, Hardaway, #10.
That’s probably Lavine’s market, or not far off
LaVine for Beal. Get it done.
(Jk)
No wuckin fay
It’s hard for me to believe that any NBA executive who’s watched LaVine over the years really believes he’s a star. CHI’s owner does, it appears. Maybe CHI’s FO is trying to find out if any FO in the league is in alignment with him.
I wouldn’t mind moving Randle, but certainly NOT for LaVine. LaVine brings all the negative intangibles that Randle does, plus many more (Randle at least plays hard and cares about winning), makes much more $$ than Randle, and has never impacted winning as Randle has. Of course, you couldn’t have them both on the same team, other than as an experiment in team un-building.
Believe me, nobody thinks Randle’s a star either.
Apparently somebody thinks Randle is a bigger star than Lavine. Randle has two All-NBA compared to Lavine’s zero. Not a big fan of Randle myself but he’s accomplished more than Lavine has.
I would agree Randle is not a star, but as @rct notes, there are obviously a bunch people (with enough basketball acumen to have an All NBA vote on the subject) that think Randle is better than LaVine. Randle is also not paid like a star, and, yet, has been more impactful in the WIN column than many guys who are paid that way. Anyway, he’s the devil I know, and, more importantly, the current group of Knicks know, and are at least cool with, because he plays as hard as anyone. I don’t like what I hear about and see from LaVine in that regard.
I get it. Sometimes the best deal is the one you don’t make. No shot I would trade Lavine for Randle straight up, and by the sound of it the converse is true for y’all.
New CBA coming means all albatros contracts on the move …
Zach LaVine for Jonothan Issac, Gary Harris, Jalen Suggs and the 6th pick in the draft
Then …
DeMare DeRozan for Anfernee Simons and Keon Johnson
Trade away Caruso for more picks
Suggs Simons Whitmore Pat Will Vuce
DRose Harris Terry Isaacs Drummond
Johnson DJJ
Orlando become interesting and Portland gets better too