Sports
Zach LaVine Rumors: Trading Star Seen as Bulls' 'Focal Point' Ahead of NBA Deadline – Bleacher Report
Zach LaVine’s days in Chicago may be numbered, but a full roster blowout may not necessarily be next on the agenda.
According to K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago, “trading LaVine is the main organizational focal point for now. In fact, league sources said that, at least for now, [executive vice president Artūras Karnišovas] is responding to inquiries on other players by saying he wants to see what the roster looks like post-LaVine trade first.”
Earlier in November, Shams Charania and Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic reported there’s been “increased openness” from LaVine and the Bulls about “exploring a trade.”
Michael Scotto of HoopsHype added that LaVine “has been the hottest name in trade rumors” to this point in the season and “has been linked” to the Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento Kings and Miami Heat.
Additionally, the New York Knicks “also called to express exploratory interest in LaVine, league sources told HoopsHype.”
As Stefan Bondy of the New York Post added, however, “LaVine’s camp would prefer not to go to [Knicks president] Leon Rose’s squad.”
Scotto noted that Chicago’s focus in trade talks was “players who can help them win and a potential draft pick” rather than a complete roster teardown and rebuild. That would back up Johnson’s reporting that the plan, for now, is to move LaVine and see where the team stands after that deal.
As for what the Bulls will fetch for LaVine, his enormous salary—he’s owed $43 million next season, $45.9 million in the 2025-26 campaign, and has a $48.9 million player option in 2026-27 that he’ll almost assuredly exercise—will likely limit his value on the market.
“I think Zach LaVine can get a first back, maybe another first-round pick if it’s in this draft since it’s so weak,” an NBA executive told Scotto.
He probably will fetch a little less than what the Boston Celtics sent out for Jrue Holiday or the Philadelphia 76ers landed for James Harden, though it might be in that neighborhood. LaVine is just 28, so he’ll still be in his prime years for the duration of his current contract.
There’s no doubt that LaVine can fill it up as scorer, though his 21 points per game this season would be his lowest average since the 2017-18 campaign. That likely can be attributed to what has become a miserable season in Chicago in general, but LaVine is probably best suited as a No. 3 option on a contender.
He’d just be an extremely expensive third option, hence what is likely to be a more modest trade value.