The Bulls continue to make Zach LaVine available but they’re not looking to ship out multiple veterans and enter into a full-fledged rebuild, Marc Stein reports in his latest Substack post.
In fact, the Bulls haven’t ruled out using Lonzo Ball‘s insurance-covered contract as part of a trade package to be buyers on the market. LaVine holds a $21,395,348 player option on his contract for next season. However, 80% of Ball’s contract is covered by league-provided insurance because he’s been sidelined so long. A potential trade partner could lower its payroll by acquiring Ball and inheriting the Bulls’ insurance payments.
We have more from the Central Division:
- Speaking of LaVine, who returned from a foot injury on Friday, he’s now dealing with right shoulder soreness, K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago tweets. LaVine is available for tonight’s game against Charlotte after being listed as questionable.
- Damian Lillard will miss the Bucks’ game on Monday for personal reasons, Eric Nehm of The Athletic tweets. Lillard, averaging 25.1 points and 6.9 assists in his first season with Milwaukee, has played in 34 of the Bucks’ first 36 games.
- Malik Beasley wasn’t upset that Bucks coach Adrian Griffin benched him at the beginning of the second half against Houston on Saturday, Nehm adds in another tweet. “It was just coach’s decision. And like I said, I could play better. And on to the next one,” he said.
- The Pistons are listing Cade Cunningham as out for Tuesday’s game against the Kings due to a left knee strain, James Edwards III of The Athletic tweets. Cunningham didn’t play in the second half of their loss at Denver on Sunday night
Three things… Who would have thought that Lavine would come off the bench in his return? I get that Coby White has momentum but they seem to still believe in Zach. Secondly I’m surprised the lakers don’t want him. They have absolutely regressed since winning the in season tourney. Lastly you would think the pistons would want Lavine also. After 7 straight losses they should have made a trade. 20+ losses and they have yet to do anything.
Pistons need lavine more than lakers.they need shooter badly.but if they get lavine,they need top notch perimeter defender.ausar not yet ready.
I heard they will sign Miles Bridges in the off season. They should just trade Ausar now for Bridges. Then either trade for John Collins, Dorian Finney-Smith or Royce.
You heard they will sign Miles Bridges? From whom? Post a source?