According to ESPN insider Zach Lowe, the Detroit Pistons are showing heavy interest in acquiring Zach LaVine and a trade and it could be in the works ahead of the trade deadline on February 8th. Zach, who joined the Bulls in 2017, is finally ready to leave the team amid a frustrating situation that he wants no part of. The Pistons, who are dead last in the East with a record of 6-42, are in an even worse situation as far as winning but they could offer LaVine a fresh start provided they are willing to pay the steep price.
It’s no secret that the 2x All-Star has been on the trade block for weeks now, and the Bulls have been trying in vain to offload his contract to another team. Owed over $176 million through 2027, Zach’s trade value is one of the worst in the league right now and the Pistons may be one of the only teams out there desperate enough to willingly take on right now.
Nobody Wants Zach LaVine This Season
With averages of 19.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game, Zach LaVine isn’t having his best season but his scoring is still pretty elite and he can go off for 40 or more on any given night. The problem with Zach, besides his enormous contract, is that he doesn’t play defense. As a straight liability on that end of the floor, LaVine’s impact varies from game to game and there are some stretches where he’s almost unplayable on the court.
This reputation has caught up with LaVine, and it’s why there are currently no suitors right now besides the worst team in the league. To date, Zach has been rumored to be available since mid-October when the Bulls began talking to teams across the league. So far, there hasn’t been one GM willing to match their price for Zach and it should tell you all that you need to know about his value in the league right now. The only way for him to recover his trade value at this point would be a dominant stretch of play on the court.
The Pistons Need All The Help They Can Get
While several teams could benefit from acquiring Zach (including the Lakers), Detroit arguably has the least to lose. Currently, Detroit is the worst team in basketball by far with a record of 6-42 and there are no signs of a turnaround. Besides Cade Cunningham and a few notable young players, the Pistons lack NBA-level talent and they desperately need someone who can score and create some offense with the ball in their hands. LaVine is good for that if nothing else, and his arrival could help them become a respectable team as they continue to build around Cunningham.
It remains to be seen how LaVIne will fare in his next venture, but it’s going to be tough to disappoint more than he did with the Bulls. After seven seasons, and no playoff series wins to show for it, LaVine could end his time in Chicago without having accomplished anything of note. At least with the Pistons, LaVine would have a team of his own and the ultimate green light to shoot as he sees fit.
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