The Golden State Warriors turned down the acquisition of former All-Star Zach LaVine in a trade package with Chris Paul and Zach LaVine going to the Chicago Bulls prior to the Warriors waiving Paul ahead of his contract guarantee deadline. The report came from the reputed Chris Haynes.
“Chicago Bulls tried to propose a Zach LaVine to the Golden State Warriors trade package centered around Chris Paul and Andrew Wiggins. The Warriors, that was something they didn’t think was feasible, so talks never got off the ground. But that was something, that was a talk prior to making the decision to waive Chris Paul.”
Bulls offered Zach LaVine to Warriors for a trade package centered around Chris Paul and Andrew Wiggins, per @ChrisBHaynes.
The Warriors declined.
(via B/R's NBA Free Agency Show) https://t.co/5XDf2pEbFs
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 30, 2024
Interest in Zach LaVine in the NBA trade market seems non-existent, with the Bulls reportedly offering a first-round pick to teams to take on LaVine and still failing to find him a home, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
“There is no market for Zach Lavine. They are trying to give him away and attach a first-round pick. I’ve been told that by multiple, multiple people.”
LaVine requested a trade from the Bulls last season and was heavily linked with the Los Angeles Lakers before the Lakers made it clear they weren’t interested in acquiring him. An injury before the deadline stopped a possible trade to the Detroit Pistons, and LaVine has had no interest since.
This is primarily due to his contract, with LaVine being owed $43 million this year, $46 million next year, and $49 million in 2027 million. He played just 25 games last season, averaging 19.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.9 assists. This has spooked teams given his questionable durability, defensive shortcomings, and offensive slowdown.
Did The Warriors Make The Right Call?
LaVine can be one of the best scorers in the NBA when he’s healthy and cooking. The Warriors are likely going to lose Klay Thompson in free agency, which would lead to a major offensive shortfall on the Warriors’ roster. LaVine could have filled that hole well, but Golden State is looking at getting salary relief and LaVine’s contract wouldn’t provide that.
Not doing this deal did lead to $30 million vanishing off the books without an upgrade for the Warriors. Paul signed with the Spurs after being waived by Golden State. People might not think the Spurs and Warriors are on the same plane competitively in the West right now, but that could change next season.
The Warriors could have sent Paul to the other Conference, as his addition to the Spurs makes them more dangerous given their need for a cerebral point guard like him next to Victor Wembanyama. But the cost of also losing Andrew Wiggins in that deal is likely what made the Warriors turn it down.
Wiggins is on the trade block right now, but LaVine isn’t necessarily a marked improvement from Wiggins given the defensive gap between them. Some team could give the Warriors a usable asset for Wiggins, which can’t be said about LaVine given the Bulls are trying to add assets to make him tradeable.
This might be the right call for the long-term, but the Warriors still need to make immediate upgrades to have a shot at contention next season,
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