- Teams are probing the availability of Zach LaVine and there’s been increased openness from the Chicago Bulls and LaVine about exploring a trade
- LaVine would like to land with the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, San Antonio Spurs or Sacramento Kings
- LaVine can’t control where he gets traded since he doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract
The Zach LaVine era for the Chicago Bulls might come to an end soon. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, LaVine and the Bulls are open to parting ways and the two-time All-Star already has a preferred destinations list.
According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, LaVine would like to land with the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, San Antonio Spurs, or Sacramento Kings.
The Lakers, Sixers, and Heat are interested in trading for LaVine, according to Charania, but since LaVine doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract, he can’t control where he gets traded.
With LaVine’s preferred landing spots getting leaked, we came up with five trades for the UCLA product to get his wish.
The San Antonio Spurs Get Victor Wembanyama A Star
Trade Details
San Antonio Spurs Receive: Zach LaVine
Chicago Bulls Receive: Keldon Johnson, Devonte’ Graham, Charles Bassey, 2024 first-round pick, 2024 second-round pick
Zach LaVine has an eye on joining the San Antonio Spurs to pair with rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama and reunite with head coach Gregg Popovich, who coached the 2020 Team USA team that LaVine helped win a gold medal in Tokyo.
The Spurs could start Tre Jones, LaVine, Devin Vassell, Wembanyama, and Zach Collins if San Antonio’s front office figured out a way to acquire LaVine from Chicago.
Despite having Wembanyama, the Spurs are averaging only 111.2 points this season. That’s 21st in the NBA. The team needs an explosive shooter and scorer like LaVine, who scored a career-high 51 points earlier this season against the Detroit Pistons.
The Spurs don’t have a closer. LaVine is one of the best scorers and shooters in the NBA and has a rapport with Popovich.
It would be difficult for teams to defend the LaVine-Wembanyama pick-and-roll/pop plays since if you go under the screen, LaVine will shoot the 3, and if you go over the screen, LaVine can dish it to Wembanyama for a pick-and-pop 3 or a drive to the lane.
The Sacramento Kings Create A Lethal Big 3
Trade Details
Sacramento Kings Receive: Zach LaVine
Chicago Bulls Receive: Kevin Huerter, Davion Mitchell, Chris Duarte, 2024 second-round pick, 2025 first-round pick
Zach LaVine signed a four-year, $78 million offer sheet with the Sacramento Kings in the summer of 2018 during restricted free agency. The Chicago Bulls matched the offer sheet, so LaVine never got to play with the Kings.
Sacramento could start De’Aaron Fox, LaVine, Harrison Barnes, Keegan Murray, and Domantas Sabonis if the Kings’ front office figured out a way to acquire LaVine from the Bulls.
The Kings are one star away from being a real threat in the West. LaVine isn’t a great defender, but he’s a gifted scorer and shooter and teams can never have enough shooters and scorers in today’s NBA.
The Kings are led by Sabonis and Fox. They would have a lethal Big 3 of Sabonis, Fox, and LaVine if LaVine got traded to Sacramento. All three All-Stars can score over 25 points on any given night.
The Philadelphia 76ers Make Their Second Big Trade Of The Season
Trade Details
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Zach LaVine
Chicago Bulls Receive: Marcus Morris, Nicolas Batum, Robert Covington, 2026 first-round pick, 2028 first-round pick, 2030 first-round pick
The Philadelphia 76ers would like to use the assets they acquired from the Los Angeles Clippers in the James Harden trade to acquire a third star next to Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. LaVine is a two-time All-Star who can score 25 points in his sleep. He’s also one of the best catch-and-shoot players in the league.
When teams double-team Embiid in the post, the big man can kick it out to LaVine for the open 3. LaVine can also create his own shot off the dribble and get to the rim at will.
Sixers president Daryl Morey has to maximize Embiid’s prime. Philadelphia hasn’t gotten past the second round of the playoffs in the Embiid era. LaVine isn’t a great defender, but he’s a gifted scorer who can help the Sixers reach the promised land.
The Sixers are interested in trading for LaVine, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, so it looks like Morey knows LaVine can be a difference-maker for his team.
The Miami Heat Finally Land A Third Star
Trade Details
Miami Heat Receive: Zach LaVine
Chicago Bulls Receive: Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson
The Miami Heat are interested in acquiring Zach LaVine, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium. The Heat missed out on Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday, so it looks like Hall of Famer Pat Riley wants to get LaVine next to All-Stars Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo.
Miami could start Kyle Lowry, LaVine, Butler, Kevin Love, and Adebayo if the Heat’s front office figured out a way to acquire LaVine from the Bulls. The Heat are 0-2 in the NBA Finals in the Butler-Adebayo era. LaVine could be the scorer and slasher Miami needs to get over the hump.
The Bulls traded Butler to the Minnesota Timberwolves on draft night in 2017 for LaVine. It would be fascinating to see LaVine and Butler play together on the Heat, who would become more explosive on offense with a dynamic scorer and shooter like LaVine.
The Los Angeles Lakers Add Another Klutch Sports Group Client
Trade Details
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Zach LaVine
Chicago Bulls Receive: D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, Jalen Hood-Schifino, 2028 first-round pick swap, 2030 top-five-protected first-round pick
The Los Angeles Lakers are interested in acquiring Zach LaVine, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium. LaVine, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis have the same agent. LaVine played his college basketball at UCLA and said back in 2020 that he would love to play with LeBron.
The Lakers could start Gabe Vincent, LaVine, Jarred Vanderbilt, LeBron, and Davis if Los Angeles’ front office figured out a way to acquire LaVine from Chicago. That’s a versatile starting lineup that could do some damage in the Western Conference.
Since LaVine, Davis, and LeBron have the same agent, the writing is pretty much on the wall for the Lakers to trade for LaVine.
LaVine would be reenergized playing for the team he grew up rooting for and would provide shooting, scoring, slashing, and playmaking to a Lakers team that needs more dynamism on offense.
