The Los Angeles Lakers have struggled to land quality talent in the 2024 offseason, losing Klay Thompson to the Mavericks, Buddy Hield to the Warriors, and DeMar DeRozan to the Kings. They haven’t made any additions through free agency so far in the offseason, with many expecting the Lakers to either remain unchanged or make a massive trade to dramatically alter their roster.
With the Bulls actively shopping Zach LaVine to other teams, even offering draft assets to salary dump him, the Lakers could find a home for their undesirable rotational players while also making a shrewd deal with the Jazz to land who could be a long-term center option for the franchise.
Trade Details
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Zach LaVine, Collin Sexton, Walker Kessler
Chicago Bulls Receive: D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, 2025 Second-Round Pick (LAL)
Utah Jazz Receive: Austin Reaves, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Cam Redish, 2031 First-Round Pick (LAL), 2029 Second-Round Pick (CHI)
This deal gives the Lakers a chance to completely remake their backcourt with proven offensive firepower while adding a bonafide rim protector to allow Anthony Davis to return to playing as a power forward.
The Los Angeles Lakers Transform Themselves To Become Contenders
This trade would allow the Lakers to acquire three winning pieces who would have a profound impact on the roster almost instantly, with all three players likely becoming starters next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Zach LaVine averaged 24.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists over his last healthy season, struggling to get on the court for most of last season. His injuries and contract length are concerning, but the Lakers could be in a position to contend if LaVine is healthy and can bring his microwave scoring ability to the franchise.
Sexton would bring a similarly electric scoring punch but has shown major defensive improvements over the last two seasons on the Utah Jazz. Sexton averaged 18.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 4.9 assists last season and could be a transformative addition to the Lakers who are always in the market for scorers.
Kessler has been on the market in recent weeks, as the center averaged 8.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks in his sophomore season and has been deemed surplus to requirements in the Jazz rebuild. His solid interior defense alongside Anthony Davis in the frontcourt would make the Lakers a terrifying interior team that can challenge the Wolves, Nuggets, or Mavericks on that front.
The Bulls End Their Worsening Relationship With LaVine
Zach LaVine made his desire to leave the Bulls abundantly clear last season, with many assuming at the time he was trying to force a move to the Lakers. Injuries and the Bulls misjudging the trade market for LaVine kept them together at the 2024 trade deadline, but the summer is the perfect time to move on while receiving various positive assets.
D’Angelo Russell will be on the trade block for the Bulls as an $18 million expiring contract who averaged 18.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 6.3 assists on a Playoff team last season. The Bulls likely won’t receive a massive haul in another trade for D’Lo, but it could add value.
Rui Hachimura could be a better long-term fit behind his two-year contract and reinforcing the Bulls’ weak wing positions. He averaged 13.6 points and 4.3 rebounds last season. Gabe Vincent is a bad contract they’ll have to accept in this deal to make the money match. Vincent played just 11 games last season for the Lakers and has two years remaining on his contract.
The Jazz Accumulate Assets
This Utah Jazz are in a position to be one of the best rebuilding projects in the NBA. They have a ton of picks from the multiple trades over the last three years to break down a Playoff contender into a lottery team. The 2025 NBA Draft brings incredible prizes such as Cooper Flagg and VJ Edgecombe, making it likely that the Jazz spend another season tanking.
If tanking is in their plans, the Jazz should move off Sexton for a package that gives them Austin Reaves, one of the Lakers’ most coveted assets. He averaged 15.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 5.5 assists last season. In this trade, he would come along with a future first-round pick from the Lakers’ side for a time when their future is uncertain. Though the Jazz lose Sexton and Kessler, they gain future assets they can move on for even more.
Jalen Hood-Schifino could have the space in Utah to thrive as a point guard, as the high-ceiling prospect hasn’t worked out for the Lakers as a rookie.
The Lakers Make A Bold Move For Contention
The Lakers have made it clear that they want to win with LeBron James and Anthony Davis duo getting older every season. They can’t expect new head coach JJ Redick to transform a team that got the seventh seed and then was eliminated in the first round to suddenly be a title contender with the same roster. Changes need to be made, and this move would make a lot of the necessary changes.
The Lakers move off three rotational players for three new players, though ones who fit the Lakers’ style a little better. The Lakers need to follow the rest of the West and rely on size to be their big advantage, as they had in their 2020 title-winning campaign. Instead of deploying combo guards and versatile forwards, the Lakers need to invest in a rim protector who can allow Davis to be a free-roaming help defender, a role he thrives in.
The top teams in the West are adding size, with this deal not only giving the Lakers size but also perimeter offense. LaVine and Sexton can score in bunches with a Davis and Kessler frontcourt providing sensational defense, as LeBron ties it all together on the wing. It could be the perfect deal for what the Lakers want to achieve right now.
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