{"id":3246,"date":"2023-01-28T15:24:45","date_gmt":"2023-01-28T15:24:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2023\/01\/28\/lakers-interested-in-trading-for-bulls-guard-zach-lavine\/"},"modified":"2023-01-28T15:24:45","modified_gmt":"2023-01-28T15:24:45","slug":"lakers-interested-in-trading-for-bulls-guard-zach-lavine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2023\/01\/28\/lakers-interested-in-trading-for-bulls-guard-zach-lavine\/","title":{"rendered":"Lakers interested in trading for Bulls guard Zach LaVine?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The Los Angeles Lakers are interested in trading for Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine, according to sources. However, it is unknown whether or not Lakers G.M. Rob Pelinka will negotiate a deal for the two-time All-Star prior to the Feb. 9 trade deadline.<\/p>\n

Of course, LaVine could be one of the team\u2019s offseason targets. \u201cThe name that\u2019s become more interesting to me as this season has gone on and it\u2019s become clearer and clearer that the Bulls are not going to get it together is LaVine,\u201d said ESPN\u2019s Zach Lowe.<\/p>\n

Per multiple NBA betting sites<\/a>, the Lakers have 10th-best odds to win the championship. A few sportsbooks are giving the Los Angeles Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies greater odds.<\/p>\n

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The Bulls would accept Russell Westbrook, the 2027 and 2029 FRP from the Lakers for Zach LaVine, according to Zach Lowe and Bobby Marks. pic.twitter.com\/mHjza5fMB2<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Major Sports Alerts (@sports___alerts) January 26, 2023<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\u201cI know there has been some thought about with people around the Lakers as a potential trade slash \u2018that\u2019s kind of our cap space acquisition,’\u201d Lowe said of LaVine.<\/p>\n

In July, the UCLA product signed a five-year, $215.16 million contract extension with the Bulls. LaVine \u2018s deal includes a 15% trade bonus and a $48,967,380 player option for the 2026-27 season.<\/p>\n

Lakers could pursue Bulls guard Zach LaVine before the Feb. 9 trade deadline or this offseason<\/h2>\n

If the Lakers pursue LaVine over the next couple of weeks, their trade package will probably not be ideal to impress the Bulls. Los Angeles has only two first-round draft picks (2027, 2029) for the rest of the decade. It would be absurd for Pelinka to surrender both first-rounders and a superstar for LaVine.<\/p>\n

Last week, the Lakers traded Kendrick Nunn, a 2023 second-round draft pick, a 2028 second-rounder, and a 2029 second-rounder to the Washington Wizards for Rui Hachimura.<\/p>\n

For Chicago to give up LaVine, the front office would demand either Russell Westbrook or Anthony Davis in return. The Lakers won the 2020 NBA Finals on the backs of Davis and LeBron James. Though, the four-time All-NBA member has struggled to stay healthy these past three years.<\/p>\n

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Zach Lowe\u2019s trade idea during the most recent episode of his podcast <\/p>\n

Lakers get:<\/p>\n

\u2043 Zach Lavine<\/p>\n

Bulls get:<\/p>\n

\u2043 Russell Westbrook
\u2043 two 1st round draft picks (\u201cone unprotected and the second one has the most limited possible protections that\u2019s allowable under NBA rules\u201d)<\/p>\n

\u2014 The Lakers Review (@TheLakersReview) January 25, 2023<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Beyond the halfway mark this season, Davis has made only 26 appearances. The 11-year veteran is dealing with a fractured bone spur and a right foot stress reaction. Davis played just 40 games last season as well. Lakers coach Darvin Ham is having Westbrook come off the bench this season, and at least Westbrook is consistently healthy.<\/p>\n

The same cannot be said about Davis. While the Lakers center is a more dominant rebounder than LaVine, the Bulls guard is a better outside shooter. Through 44 starts this season, LaVine is averaging 23.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.0 steal per game. Plus, he\u2019s shooting 45.8% from the field and 37.3% outside the arc.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n