While Zach LaVine has been mentioned in several rumors this fall after it was reported that both he and the Bulls are increasingly open to exploring a trade, the two-time All-Star isn’t one of the two players on Chicago’s roster that rival teams have shown the most interest in thus far, reports Marc Stein at Substack. Six-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan and two-time All-Star Nikola Vucevic aren’t on the list either.
All-Defensive guard Alex Caruso is the Bulls player opposing teams are most intrigued by, per Stein, followed by forward Patrick Williams.
As Stein writes, the Bulls haven’t made Caruso available, but he would have a “double-digit list of suitors” if that were to happen. As for Williams, who was the No. 4 overall pick in 2020, Stein says rivals still find him intriguing despite a very poor start to the season. Williams is set to hit restricted free agency in 2024.
In the same article, Stein says he’s heard the Lakers‘ rumored interest in LaVine is “best described (at most)” as to be determined. According to Stein, L.A. hopes that Jarred Vanderbilt (heel) and Gabe Vincent (knee) will provide a “meaningful boost” once they return from their respective injuries.
Here’s more from the Central:
- As a former No. 1 overall pick who was the top recruit in his high school class, plenty of hype has followed Cade Cunningham. But advanced stats are extremely low on the third-year Pistons guard, according to Zach Kram of The Ringer, who writes that Cunningham has trouble scoring efficiently from all over the court. Kram takes an in-depth look at Cunningham’s game and his advanced metrics, suggesting that he might be more of a No. 2 offensive option on a good team rather than the No. 1 option he’s been made out to be.
- The Cavaliers had perhaps their best win of the season on Sunday, defeating the defending-champion nuggets without Donovan Mitchell (hamstring) and Caris LeVert (knee). However, the victory didn’t answer the two biggest questions facing the franchise, according to Joe Vardon of The Athletic: Has Cleveland has improved enough to advance past the first round of the playoffs? And is Mitchell “happy enough” to sign an extension next year to stay long term?
- Jarace Walker, the No. 8 overall pick in June’s draft, has only played 41 total minutes over four games for the Pacers to this point, mostly in garbage time. Head coach Rick Carlisle has told the young forward to stay ready, writes Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star. “This is what being a professional is all about,” Carlisle said. “He’s probably always played at every level he’s played at from middle school to high school to college, AAU, you name it, but given the present circumstance, you gotta be a pro and work at your craft and you gotta be ready. I talked to him two days ago and let him know. I said, ‘I don’t know when it’s gonna happen but your time is coming. That’s how it works in this league.'”
No surprise. Caruso and PW are the two CHI players I’d be interested in as well, particularly the latter.
Cade needs shooters, he’s a pass first Pg at heart and has nobody to accentuate his best traits –
I see a lotta Deron Willams in his game which is a great compliment. Perhaps he can channel Willams post inj career a tad and realize with his body he Doesn’t even need to play full speed at all times to be great . Use those wide shoulders abd strength to keep opposing guards at bay from you at all times even in the slower moments of the game.
I still think Cade can be very good. I wanted OKC to get that #1 since I know they would have developed him and put the pieces around him. They ended up with Giddey who is similar in size.
Hopefully Monty can clean up the roster for the Pistons. Think they have too many of the same types of players.
Agreed
Q – I assume your a okc fan – Do ya think they will up giddy ? In a day and age where no good pgs ever hit fa I feel Giddey will ….. the monies just bookmarked elsewhere imo abd Cason has just been mind blowing so far
Most likely traded but I’d love to see a good ole fashioned bidding war bust out
The game has changed a great deal since Deron Williams played. Cade’s game is far better suited for that era.
Cunningham is a highly versatile player, he can do a lot of things, he doesn’t have anything that he does at a plus level. He is not a #1 option. Don’t think he is a #2 option either.
Lakers have all the help they need from the officials. 29-10 advantage last night and already a 361-251 edge through just 14 games.
Well when you play against Dillon Brooks…
LaVine has very limited suitors if any at all who want him.
Truthfully the Bulls should have unloaded him two years ago and now they are stuck with him.
Maybe a team like the Knicks would take him but let me be clear he truly isn’t a player you build a team around.
All the teams “Interested” put him in the same spot as he is now. No actual contenders want him, if Lakers are interested they have no picks or young players to off. Is Hood Scifino even playing? Lavine is a 3rd option at best.
On a contender, LaVine might be the Sixth Man but truthfully he is below average on defense and is not a clutch player.
Sure, he can score but he also costs the team many times with his below-average defense.
I rather see White at SG than LaVine.
No thanks stay away …….
DeM DeR to >>>>>> Knicks.
Been reading Bulls want to move Williams. I’d take him too.
For all those real Bulls fans. That can’t wait or help a player to develop. Just for you.
link to nba.shar.estori.es
50 mins, 38 pts. 17 rebs …..
Williams is playing out of position and should be an SF and not a PF.
He has the tools to be a solid SF but the Bulls management as usual are stubborn as can be!
Knickerbocker : i hope your wish come true. I like ddr,but he only has 1 year left. Ddr for rj and pick.
Imo he’s got 3-4 yrs. I’d say three good yrs. That’s what I’m counting on. He takes care of himself. He can retire a Knick. MSG will love him. No no not RJ.
Quickley and Grimes …..
Knickerbocker : i meant 1 year left contract,and he will ask more money. Ddr for quickley and grimes? Pass…hard pass.bulls dont need another guards. Rj is a decent sf,bulls need sf if ddr gone.
LaVine has plenty of suitors. There are just not many suitors who have enough value to give back to the Bulls, who want a haul.
Yes. The Bulls should have done this two years ago.
Nobody is interested in building a team around Zach. He absolutely could be a piece for the right title contender. Middleton has a ring playing as the sidekick to Giannis.
Portland could reverse their rebuild. Send Scoot, Sharpe and Ayton to the Bulls in return for LaVine, DeRozan and Vucevic.
PG Brogdon
SG LaVine
SF DeRozan
PF Jerami Grant
C Vucevic
Anfernee Simons, Thybulle, etc. off the bench.
Welcome to the playoffs.
You have no idea what you are talking about. Maybe portland should trade Scoot for Herro’s walking boot.
You’re swapping Scoot for MJ jersey…
I think most players on this Bulls team are suspect. The Bulls are made up of a bunch of Prima Donnas who only show up for their checks. Its also the reason many of them do not want to be traded and stuck around (like Vuc). These guys on a competitive team would probably be a distraction for that team.
The Cavaliers still have not had xccc7their full compliment of players.I think they will provide a new set of problems for opponents. The way Mobley and Strus work the man is hard to stop. When healthy Allen and Mobley are defensive terrorists. The way they worked Nikola Jokic on Sunday was clever. ADD back Donovan Mitchell and Caris LeVert and these guys could surprise people.
Yes, the Cavs a legitimate championship team.
I’m not saying they are there yet. But if they get a few brakes anything is possible. If they can make a playoff run this season next year is the likely time they could win it all as constructed. That said as many as a dozen or so teams that could If the ball bounced right. That said in the East the Celtics, Bucks, 76ers and Cavaliers are all capable. It will be fun watching it play out.