There’s buzz that the Chicago Bulls and star player Zach LaVine are ready to part ways, suggesting a trade could happen shortly.
Zach LaVine, a second guard for the Chicago Bulls, has emerged as a potential All-Star candidate over the course of the last seven seasons. He has averaged over 20 points a game for the last six years and peaked at 27.4 per game in 2020-21. Despite LaVine’s importance to the franchise’s revival two years ago, his situation in Chicago has deteriorated recently.
A rift emerged between the team and player last year after the organization opted to offer him a hefty five-year, $215 million contract two summers ago in free agency. The two-time All-Star was expected to be traded before the trade deadline this year, but he stayed in Chicago through the offseason. Yet, he may not be wearing white and red for much longer.
Since many opposing general managers are in Chicago for the 2023 State Farm Champions Classic, the Bulls management may chat with them today. On Tuesday, Stadium NBA insider Shams Charania stated that both sides are now “open to exploring” a potential trade.
Since Lonzo Ball’s departure two years ago, the Bulls have struggled to find their footing. After a disappointing 2022–23 campaign and a slow start (4–7) in 2023–24, it appears that Chicago will end the Zach LaVine–DeMar DeRozan era.
In case the club decides to trade the 28-year-old star over the next few weeks, here are five potential suitors.
There are five teams that could use Zach LaVine in a blockbuster deal this November.
They’re the L.A. Lakers.
The Los Angeles Lakers’ purported interest in LaVine dates back to last season. The squad has gotten off to a slow start, so now would be a good time to make a trade instead of focusing on acquiring depth or another star. The question is whether or not Chicago would value LA’s assets highly enough to warrant a trade.
2023 Zach LaVine stats: 21.9 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 3.0 APG, 0.8 SPG, 31% 3PT
Hoosier State Hoosiers
The Indiana Pacers have been one of the league’s biggest pleasant surprises this year and are likely only one or two top free agent acquisitions away from legitimate title contention. The Pacers have a lot of talent and youth behind All-Star Tyrese Haliburton, but they might use another exceptional scorer like Zach LaVine.
The Miami Heat failed to complete a deal for Damian Lillard this summer and still needs a proven All-Star to link up with Jimmy Butler. While Tyler Herro has had a strong season thus far, his performance is more indicative of a fast start than a rising star. In Miami, a potent scoring duo of Zach LaVine and Jimmy Butler is possible.
Basketball team from Oklahoma
As Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to develop into one of the league’s rising stars, the Oklahoma City Thunder are emerging as a promising young squad. However, like the Pacers, they need another veteran scorer who can force the defense to loosen up their emphasis on SGA. Further, they have sufficient financial resources to sign on to his deal without incurring excessive outgoing financial obligations.
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Magic of Orlando
The оrlаndо Mаgic аre а prоmising yоung teаm оn the rise, similаr tо the оklаhоmа City Thunder but with less success. Pаulо Bаncherо is а prоmising yоung stаr, but whether he hаs whаt it tаkes tо becоme the аbsоlute best is still up fоr debаte. Until then, LаVine might tаke оn the rоle оf leаding scоrer, relieving pressure оff Bаncherо аnd fellоw prоspect Frаnz Wаgner.
