The Lakers, Heat, and Sixers are among the teams expected to have a “level of interest” in Bulls guard Zach LaVine, Shams Charania of The Athletic said during an appearance on The Rally (Twitter video link). Charania reported on Tuesday that the Bulls and LaVine have become increasingly open to exploring the possibility of a trade after Chicago got off to another slow start this season.
The Lakers’ big three experiment with Russell Westbrook alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis didn’t work well, with the team eventually moving off Westbrook in favor of reliable depth around its two superstars. It’s unclear how eager Los Angeles would be to sacrifice some of that depth to bring in another ball-dominant, offensive-minded guard like LaVine.
The Heat, meanwhile, were linked to Damian Lillard for much of the offseason and would perhaps view LaVine as an intriguing alternative, though he’s not the play-maker that Dame is. As for the Sixers, the belief is that they want to turn some of the assets they received for James Harden into another impact player, but the emergence of Tyrese Maxey has lessened the need for another guard. A report on Tuesday downplayed Philadelphia’s interest in LaVine.
In addition to monitoring LaVine, teams around the NBA are keeping an eye on DeMar DeRozan in case the Bulls decide to make him available as well, according to Charania.
“The sense around the league is whether it’s LaVine or DeRozan or both, there could be movement in Chicago sooner than later,” Charania said.
Here’s more on LaVine:
- The Lakers are among five destinations that Yossi Gozlan of HoopsHype believes make sense for LaVine, but his other four suggestions are teams not mentioned by Charania: the Magic, Pistons, Hornets, and Mavericks. Dallas may not be an ideal fit for LaVine after adding Kyrie Irving earlier this year, but the Mavs have reportedly had interest in the Bulls guard in the past, Gozlan notes.
- In a mailbag for The Athletic, Kelly Iko makes the case that the Grizzlies would be an ideal fit for LaVine, contending that pairing him with Desmond Bane on the wing would help the team in the short term and open up space for Ja Morant to operate when he returns from his suspension.
- Steve Popper of Newsday doesn’t view the Knicks as a likely suitor for LaVine, suggesting that it wouldn’t make sense to give up RJ Barrett as part of a larger package for the Bulls guard, since LaVine is five years older, significantly more expensive, and has been more injury-prone.
- As good as LaVine has been as a scorer in recent years, his best hasn’t been good enough for the Bulls, according to Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic, who suggests that it might be in both sides’ best interest to go in a new direction.
I like the idea of a Memphis trade. Bulls send Lavine and Drummond, Grizz send Adams, Kennard, Brandon Clarke, and a pick.
Then the Bulls have to figure out who will trade a true pg for DeRozan.
I mean, what the Bulls actually need is a total change of strategy. One of the worst shooting teams, and with an iso-heavy offense. Their defense is also almost totally scheme-based outside of a couple guys like Craig and Caruso. They just don’t have a good mix of personnel. Even with Lonzo there, they had obvious holes.
Please explain it to us. You grab shhh out the air. Or out your are …. Clueless all you got is noise. Do you ever actually do the research before all that stink comes out your mouth lol ….,
Bulls of 2021-22 finished second. With a record of 46-36. Lost in 1st rd unfortunately. But they looked good and were heading in the right direction …. They did it with depth …..
Zach, DeM, Lonzo, Vucevic, Caruso, Williams, White, Ayo, Green, Jones Jr, Thomas, Bradley all played significant mins and gms.
link to basketball-reference.com
Today , no Ball, no Bradley, no Thomas, Jones Jr, no Green, Williams ??
Basically with same core players today. All that’s changed is Ball, Williams play, and their bench. So WTF are you talking about. It’s the same core, missing their PG.
2 major injured players in Adams and Clarke off a torn Achilles. Lavine is worth more than that even though I don’t think he is moving a team that much.
This would be a colossally poor decision by Philly. They need a shooter who defends. Not another “star”. Anunoby should be the target. Maybe Heild as a rental for the season.
Agreed. They could also use a guy to produce off the bench with Oubre out, but there aren’t many available. Will Barton and Emdond Sumner are about the best available who aren’t terrible people (Bryn Forbes and KPJ).
It’s nonsense speculation from Shams, who is basically Rich Paul’s mouthpiece. Morey already said the type of player they want, and lavine doesn’t check any of those boxes. Agent trying to drum up interest
As one of teh premier Sixer haters who mocks their front office on many, many occasions, I can say that trading for Lavine would be a collassal mistake for the Sixers.
He would do nothing for them nad clog the offense up. I personally never saw what others see in Lavine, he does basically two things well and is average or lower at some of the most important parts like defense.
If the Sixers are stupid enough to block Maxey from becoming a super star, well there are better choices than Lavine.
Lakers and Heat are desperate for talent, so that makes more sense to me.
“Heat are desperate for talent”?
Zach is not going anywhere. He just signed a contract. His value is low. DeM DeR is the one they will move. Could move White. Caruso, Vucevic too. If they really want to clean house. Not Zach not now.
Pistons would be cool.
Cade isn’t a shooter, whereas Zach is.
You’ve also got Cade and Ausar who want to push the pace and get out in transition which suits Zach with his élite athleticism. Although they do already have Jaden Ivey, he could easily play a sixth man role while Zach makes them a much better side right now.
Bagley, Wiseman, Bogdan, Hayes, Burks and Harris should all be available plus picks.
Bagley would make sense he’s a Chicago kid and would pair nicely with Vuce. Bojan makes sense if they want to still be competitive, White DeRozan Bojan Bagley Vuce. Wiseman is there if they want to gamble on potential as is Hayes.
Pistons would look cool
Cade Zach Ausar Stewart Duren