A lotꩵ has changed for the Chicago ওBulls this offseason, but one big thing has stayed the same.
Zach LaVine remains with the organization despite a seemingly never-ending wave of trade rumors over the last year-plus. The Bulls have made it clear that they are eager to get off the two-time All-Star’s max contract, while LaVine’s camp has indicated that he too wouldn’t mind a change of scenery. Nevertheless, the market in the 29-year-old has stayed cold, and we’re only a matter of weeks away from a 💙potentially very awkward return to the🅷 United Center.
What version of LaVine will show up to training camp on Oct. 1 is anyone’s guess. While he’s been nothing short of professional in the past, his agency (Klutch) isn’t afraid to push buttons. Indeed, Plan A for both parties always appeared to be for the 2024-25 season to begin with LaVine elsewhere. So could there be a last-ditch effort to make that plan come to fruition?
If one thing is for sure, one Western Conference executive believes there is a team that should give the Bulls a call. Here is what shared in his m💞ost recent newsletter:
“This West executive, who understands the Lakers’ situation pretty well for someone outside the organization, said he’d point them in a direction they were rumored to be headed in 10 months ago.
“I’d call Chicago and make a move fo🅺r Zach LaVine,” the executive told me.
After gasping, I heard him out.
Here was the gist of the pitch: LaVine could be gotten by simply matching the money he’s owed, getting the Bulls out from underneath a contract that’s likely going to last until 2027 and cost the team $138 million. That would allow the Lakers to keep their draft assets for a future deal or the inevitable rebuild.”
I knew those LaVine-to-Lakers rumors weren’t going anywhere!
Will the Lakers Re-Think Zach LaVine?
First things first, there isn’t any breaking news here. Dan Woike isn’t reporting that the Lakers are re-interested in Zach LaVine nor is the anonymous Western Conference exec saying he knows the Lakers are re-interested. Instead, a source is merely sharing his opinion on the topic. But it’s an educated opinion, nonetheless!
If this executive is thinking that LaVine makes sense in Los Angeles, who is to say the Lakers aren’t far off from also re-considering the situation? The organization missed out on free-agent targets like Klay Thompson and DeMar DeRozan, as well as watched Dejounte Murray head to New Orleans from Atlanta. Aside from a solid draft night where the team selected Dalton Knecht, the Lakers project to enter next season looking nearly identical to the team that finished 7th in the West. With LeBron James nearing 40 years old and Anthony Davis’ health always a concern, that isn’t going to cut it.
With this in mind, it sure feels like only a matter of time before the Lakers must consider another big move. And Zach LaVine remains one of the top players readily available. As scary as the contract is, it shouldn’t necessarily be a concern for the most famous franchise in the league. Not to mention, the price LA would have to pay to land the perimeter scorer is presumably reasonable, as Chicago owns little to no leverage. They would likely only have to compile the right salaries to send out, which they could easily do with D’Angelo Russell and Rui Hachimura as the two foundational pieces.
LaVine’s fit in LA has always made a lot of sense, too. While he may not be the defensive presence the Lakers want, they already have a top-notch rim protector behind him. He would also provide elite athleticism, 3-point shooting, and off-ball scoring capabilities to a team that has desperately needed more perimeter scoring options in a loaded West.
Now, do I actually foresee a situation where the Lakers get a deal done before training camp? No. I think LaVine will have to return to the court to prove he’s healthy and back to his reliable scoring ways before anything gets done. However, as long as the Bulls’ guard does that, I could see the Lakers rumors picking up again quickly, especially if Rob Pelinka’s team gets off to a slow start.
For more thoughts on some teams who could still arise as Zach LaVine suitors, take a look here …
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