With the Chicago Bulls in disarray, LaVine may be on the move soon. Who could benefit from his services? Here are five teams that should look into acquiring the All-Star guard.
In the last seconds of the Chicago Bulls’ 96-94 home loss to the Orlando Magic on Wednesday, Zach LaVine put together a last-second sizzle reel for potential suitors. Six points in nine seconds — a disputed pull-up 3 over Franz Wagner, then a quickfire 3 off a Nikola Vucevic handoff to tie the game that Chicago had led by as many as 19 points — to tie the game that Chicago had led by as many as 19. It was an uncharacteristically clutch display of shotmaking prowess from the ailing star. For years, LaVine had bungled those times, seemingly burdened by the weight of it all.
He stood and fired with ease in this moment, possibly one of his last in Chicago.
Did the Bulls eventually lose the game? Naturally, they did. But that’s hardly the point, is it? The Chicago Bulls are allegedly open to moving Zach LaVine, who could be on the cusp of a significant transformation and, if we’re lucky, a major breakthrough, after a disastrous start that almost everyone could have foreseen.
With the persistent injuries over the years, LaVine couldn’t be the player the Bulls needed him to be—he couldn’t even be the player he wanted to be. These days, the promise of undeniable two-way influence is the surest path to true stardom. LaVine hasn’t even come close.
Otherwise, merely being a terrific scorer isn’t enough—you’d better be one of the best offensive motors the game of basketball has ever seen. LaVine, as lovely his highlights may be, is not.
LaVine, at 28, faces a critical crossroads in his career, a liminal zone where he can gracefully remove certain masks imposed by a franchise and the expectations that come with them. A zone in which he can accept his gifts for what they are and aren’t. (If you skip this step of self-acceptance, you will enter the deep, hazy wasteland that James Harden describes.)
I’ve had a phrase for this stage of a player’s career for a long time: post-aspirational. We remember the pinnacles of a star’s career, but I’ve always been captivated by the “decline.” Who do you become after the top layer is removed? It can provide insight into who they genuinely are and what they truly value outside of the limits of the sport. There are no correct answers; only correct fits and alignments exist.
LaVine may not have control over where he goes, but the teams who are interested in him see him as he should be seen: A dangerous and efficient off-ball scorer with unusual skills as a driver as well as a volume 3-point shooter.
The Bulls have long urged him to take charge of the offense beyond his capabilities; in his upcoming phase, it’s highly probable that he’ll only be expected to finalize plays. Letting go of that burden, LaVine’s later years in his career might turn out to be the most productive. Trying to be the dominant force hasn’t really paid off.
However, it’s doubtful that LaVine will create a bustling market for the Bulls, especially since they’ve chosen what could arguably be the worst time—the early season following the selection of perhaps the greatest prospect in NBA history—to either restructure or start anew. Judging from recent trades involving Bradley Beal, Damian Lillard, and Harden, Bulls supporters might not be satisfied with the return in any potential deal (unless Detroit, in dire need of consistent offense, includes the strangely overlooked sophomore Jaden Ivey in an offer). While every team in the league would welcome what LaVine brings offensively, the number of genuine interested parties decreases considerably when considering his maximum contract and lack of commitment defensively. According to Marc Stein, there have been hints that neither Philadelphia nor Dallas are particularly keen on striking a deal. Nonetheless, LaVine possesses skills that are among the scarcest in the league—someone will eventually take the leap. Here are five teams that could refine their season’s objectives by embracing the next phase of Zach LaVine.
Los Angeles Lakers
Once again, the Lakers led by LeBron James are facing a bumpy start to their season and could benefit from additional talent to prevent LeBron from exhausting himself before the competition intensifies. Yet again, the Lakers seem to possess the ideal mix of contracts and depth players, positioning them as significant contenders in potential trade discussions. However, this possibility hinges on whether the Bulls are willing to wait until later in the season to initiate a move—specifically, January 15 marks the earliest opportunity for recently re-signed players like D’Angelo Russell (eligible from December 15) and Rui Hachimura (eligible from January 15) to be part of trade negotiations.
Zach LaVine, represented by Klutch Sports, had previously indicated his interest in playing alongside LeBron and joining the Lakers as far back as 2020. Among available stars who could seamlessly integrate into the team and immediately address their struggles with three-point shooting, there are few who match LaVine’s profile. He boasts impressive catch-and-shoot accuracy (42.2 percent throughout his career) and possesses a threat with his ability to shoot pull-up 3-pointers at a star level. This particular skill set is something the Lakers have attempted to piece together over the years through players like Malik Monk, Lonnie Walker IV, and Malik Beasley, who have seen better days. The Lakers appear to be an obvious destination for LaVine; the question remains whether he will still be on the market when the Lakers are ready to make a comprehensive offer.
Miami Heat
Matching Jimmy Butler with Zach LaVine—previously traded between Minnesota and Chicago in 2017, marking the beginning of a disappointing era for the Bulls—would serve as a fitting conclusion to LaVine’s time with Chicago. LaVine was thrust into the leadership vacuum left by Butler’s departure at the start of the post-Thibodeau era in Chicago. Despite evolving into an exceptional scorer, his style of play seemed out of sync with the contemporary game. While possessing the athleticism and scoring prowess ideal for building a team around, the realization that he couldn’t be the centerpiece came too late.
For LaVine, Miami could offer a fresh start, providing him with an opportunity to embrace a functional NBA system for the first time in his career, even if it might not guarantee immediate success. While there’s a debate about whether LaVine significantly outshines Tyler Herro, LaVine’s athletic abilities, despite approaching his late twenties, enable him to score effectively from all areas of the court. His consistent ability to draw fouls exceeds Herro’s best performances in that aspect. With Miami aiming to preserve Butler’s playing time, LaVine could serve a dual purpose—either as a finishing force on many occasions or as the primary scoring option on nights when others struggle. Considering Miami’s position in the bottom tier of offensive rankings, there’s a pressing need for added firepower, and the question lingers whether LaVine could provide that missing spark.
Golden State Warriors
The Warriors are experiencing a rough patch despite Steph Curry’s exceptional performance, raising questions about how the new front office led by Mike Dunleavy Jr. prioritizes their concerns. With no reliable offensive support beyond Curry, the team faces a daunting situation as they cling to the remnants of their once-dominant image. Jordan Poole, last season’s top scorer for the team, is currently facing a challenging phase reminiscent of a comedic movie scene in the capital. Both Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins are having their worst seasons yet, while the recent draft picks lack readiness to fill the void.
Zach LaVine has never played in a system similar to Golden State’s, but joining forces with Steph seems like a comforting transition despite the differences. LaVine possesses qualities that the Warriors’ offense sorely lacks. Chris Paul’s diminishing shooting reliability raises questions: could this prompt the Warriors to reconsider a potentially incompatible experiment? Acquiring someone like LaVine might come at a significant cost, perhaps even compromising the team’s core essence. Would Golden State contemplate trading Thompson, a foundational figure of their past successes, along with valuable draft assets to navigate their current struggles? It sounds morally conflicting, yet if the aim is to capitalize on Curry’s remaining prime years, LaVine emerges as a bittersweet but intriguing solution. Although not on par with Kevin Durant, LaVine could potentially become the team’s most formidable scorer alongside Curry since Durant’s tenure. Last season’s team couldn’t shake off negative energy at the season’s start; it’s hard to fathom the challenge of moving on from Klay and others in the midst of ongoing struggles.
Toronto Raptors
On paper, LaVine seems to address nearly every deficiency in the Raptors’ offensive lineup, a need that has persisted for quite some time. Toronto has lacked a wing player who can efficiently shoot 3-pointers in high volume and penetrate into the lane at will, a void that hasn’t been filled since the days of Kawhi Leonard or even earlier, with Vince Carter. This absence of a specific star type has been a recurring issue for the franchise. LaVine doesn’t exactly match the profiles of Leonard or Carter, but provided the team doesn’t have to sacrifice their key players—Scottie Barnes, Pascal Siakam, and OG Anunoby—he might not need to embody their exact qualities.
Bringing in a player like LaVine, an exceptionally effective scorer who may have been misused in a struggling team, would represent a significant challenge to Masai Ujiri’s approach to team construction. Would Toronto’s versatile players effectively support and cover for LaVine’s shortcomings on the court? Could the diverse offensive threat posed by LaVine help resolve the overlapping issues between Barnes and Siakam? Would this move lead to the Raptors becoming a fringe championship contender, and if so, how sustainable would that status be? Considering both Siakam and Anunoby (who holds a player option) will be unrestricted free agents soon, it’s hard to envision the Raptors comfortably absorbing the remaining two-plus years of LaVine’s max contract into their salary cap structure.
Indiana Pacers
Tyrese Haliburton has masterminded the most efficient offense in the NBA, surpassing the scoring rates of any previous NBA team. The Pacers boast eight different players averaging at least 11 points per game, showcasing a positive and evenly distributed offensive approach. However, historically, these harmonious offensive systems often encounter setbacks due to regression. Given the team’s current hot streak, is it prudent to aim for a more established scoring option? Despite being the seventh-youngest team in the league, with an average age of 25, the Pacers could potentially become even younger by constructing a deal centered around the salaries of Buddy Hield and T.J. McConnell to acquire Zach LaVine.
There’s a valid concern about whether making significant mid-season moves would unnecessarily hasten the team’s timeline by acquiring a star player who falls short of elite status. The Pacers have a chance to play without the weight of high expectations once again, a blessing in disguise. Last season, Indiana showed promise with a commendable 23-18 record at the halfway mark, but Haliburton’s injuries led to a drastic decline, winning only three of their next 20 games. The team’s exceptional start now provides a comprehensive glimpse into what a Haliburton-led offense can achieve. While LaVine’s acquisition would come at a cost, it could potentially enhance this vision without disrupting the team’s structure.
LaVine’s sole playoff appearance was in 2021-22, where he maximized his off-ball scoring and attacking the rim alongside DeMar DeRozan and Lonzo Ball, both adept pick-and-roll orchestrators. Haliburton’s presence could further amplify this dynamic, pairing him with one of the most talented scorers he’s ever played alongside. However, trades involve more than just fitting pieces together. Despite the Pacers’ fast-paced style of play, there’s no urgency to rush into a move. Nonetheless, it’s an intriguing notion to contemplate, envisioning LaVine operating alongside a genuinely modern playmaker, optimized and liberated from constraints.
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