The Denver Nuggets aren’t known to be a very active franchise in the trade market but their 14-10 start to the 2024-25 season has prompted the franchise to look at multiple options across the NBA. The team needs to inject some new life into the franchise by adding playable difference-makers despite being a second-apron team with virtually no tradeable draft assets.
One of the mentioned names was Chicago Bulls swingman Zach LaVine, who has had a distressed market for over a year now due to his injury concerns and inflated contract. But LaVine is having a decent season for the Bulls this year and could find his All-Star self in the Nuggets offensive system which even revitalized Russell Westbrook’s fledgling career.
There’s no way for the Nuggets to try and make a move for LaVine without homegrown star Michael Porter Jr., but his value could land the Nuggets a crucial future asset as well.
Trade Details
Denver Nuggets Receive: Zach LaVine, Julian Phillips, 2028 Top-10 Protected First-Round Pick (CHI)
Chicago Bulls Receive: Michael Porter Jr., Zeke Nnaji
The Bulls have had no market for LaVine for over a year, with even the Los Angeles Lakers opting to not pursue LaVine despite their clear need for a scorer like him. There are risks associated with his contract and injury history, but there’s little doubt in his on-court ability. He’s a mercurial scorer who can return to his All-Star peak playing alongside Jokic and potentially add a new facet to the Nuggets offense.
The Nuggets Make A Move To Increase Their Top-End Chances
The Nuggets have seen Michael Porter Jr. evolve into a consistent 20-point scorer who’s an accurate shooter over the last six seasons despite injuries sidetracking him multiple times over this stretch. He’s a gifted offensive talent and would bring back a draft asset to the Nuggets if he was moved alongside a proven scorer like LaVine who might still be a level above Porter as a reliable scoring option.
LaVine is averaging 21.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.2 assists this season, showing off a more well-rounded and team-oriented play style that’s seeing him make a conscious effort defensively while empowering younger guards around him like Coby White and Josh Giddey.Â
LaVine has the experience and ability to thrive in Denver’s offensive system orchestrated by Nikola Jokic while also being a talented enough scorer to single-handedly generate points or pass the ball within the flow of the team’s offense.
Julian Phillips will likely slot into the deep collection of talented young players at the end of the Nuggets bench who aren’t good enough yet to contribute to a title-winning franchise. But with these players, their development, and a potential Bulls’ lottery pick, the Nuggets are giving themselves more room to excel at the highest level.Â
The Bulls Land An Upgrade To Help Them Slowly Return To Contention
The Bulls have shown a clear distaste for tanking over the last few seasons, trying to make the Playoffs for the last three seasons despite their weak roster. Before the start of this season, the Bulls openly discussed their desire to be a competitive team. While they haven’t looked top-tier, they are within a shot for a Playoff spot as the No. 9 seed currently, 2.5 games behind No. 6.
Porter Jr. is averaging 18.5 points and 7.1 rebounds per game this season. The 26-year-old is still a young player and has proven his worth as a capable offensive star since being drafted in 2018.Â
He fits the Bulls’ timeline better as someone who can continue to grow alongside young stars like Coby White while helping the Bulls fight for Playoff opportunities. With the Bulls also taking a bet on Josh Giddey, this could prove fruitful in a season or two as these young stars continue to improve.
LaVine has already peaked as a Bull and this might be the best way to move on from him, as they give up a draft asset to land Porter Jr. as a potential future piece instead of accepting salary dumps from other franchises around the league that might be interested in LaVine.
Is This Worth The Risk For The Nuggets?
I see where Denver is coming from in their interest in LaVine, as they can acquire him without giving up any real assets and potentially making a more defense-oriented starting five with Peyton Watson starting alongside Jokic, Aaron Gordon, Jamal Murray, Â and LaVine, with Russell Westbrook and Christian Braun as key bench pieces.Â
LaVine has also proven to be a more dynamic scorer than the jump-shot-reliant Porter Jr., so this could add another dimension to the Nuggets’ already confounding offense. The issue is that Porter Jr.’s contract could be better used on multiple rotational additions instead of just one like LaVine.Â
We’ve also put together trades including Porter where the Nuggets add multiple win-now pieces instead of just one with question marks.
The Bulls should happily do a deal like this given the asset upgrade Michael Porter can be as a player with another year or two off his contract. He’ll still be young and movable a few years from now, which might not be the case with LaVine if he picks up another major injury.
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