The Los Angeles Lakers have been linked with Zach LaVine of the Bulls since he reportedly requested a trade from the Chicago Bulls. However, the sides don’t look to be that close to a deal just yet. A report from The Athletic suggests that the Lakers’ preliminary trade package revolves around D’Angelo Russell.
“For LaVine specifically, I think the Lakers would consider a D’Angelo Russell-centric deal, but I don’t think they’d throw in much more than a combination of salary filler (Rui Hachimura and/or Gabe Vincent), a young prospect (Max Christie or Jalen Hood-Schifino) and a protected pick (2029 or 2030 first rounder).”
The Lakers have a deep roster on paper, with many assuming that the contracts they handed out in the summer to Russell, Rui Hachimura, and Austin Reaves could come in handy in a star player trade that saw the team give up multiple players. LaVine fits the bill of a player like that, but it seems the Lakers aren’t willing to pay a big price after how the Russell Westbrook trade backfired in 2021.
LaVine is a better fit next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis than Westbrook was, as he’s an elite shooter that can score in a variety of ways. His contract is massive and would require the Lakers to exercise caution, along with balancing their roster by adding a swingman like LaVine in a deal where they have to give up a guard like Russell and a forward like Hachimura.
LaVine averaged 21.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.4 assists before picking up an injury this season, with many expecting him to get moved before he makes a return to the lineup. Russell is averaging 15.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 6.2 assists but is currently in a slump as the Lakers have lost four out of their last five games.
The Chicago Bulls Want Austin Reaves
Reports coming out of Chicago have heavily implied that the Bulls don’t care for any player on the Lakers roster outside of Austin Reaves. With more players than just LaVine possibly on the market, the Bulls could be willing to deal for any of their star players such as Alex Caruso or DeMar DeRozan if Reaves was on the table.
“I think any deal involving the Lakers will have to include Austin Reaves. What I am told is that the Lakers are not interested at all in moving Austin Reaves.”
The Lakers are understandably hesitant to move one of their best young finds in recent memory. Reaves is averaging 15.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.9 assists, excelling in the sixth-man role the Lakers have relegated him into after a slow start. Even in the Lakers’ current run of bad fixtures, Reaves has been solid and is a consistent 20-point threat, something that can’t be said for Russell.
With the offensive concerns LA has had this season, they will want to maintain Reaves in any deal to add LaVine, as the pair could form the team’s future backcourt if Russell is moved. James is the primary playmaker anyway and could lead the team to have an offensive resurgence sometime this season, provided he gets more reliable scoring options next to him.
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