Zach LaVine is at the top of practically every team’s wish list. According to a fresh report, the Bulls star and his management are interested in joining the Los Angeles Lakers.
Background
The story was provided by Chicago Sun-Times writer Joe Cowley, who also mentioned that the Bulls have yet to find a market for LaVine. Despite this, Bulls Vice President Arturas Karnisovas is unconcerned about the situation, but things could change if it persists.
“…if moving LaVine drags on longer than he hopes, his plans would be altered significantly. With the rest of the players who signed offseason deals eligible to be dealt after Jan. 15, Karnisovas ideally will have moved LaVine by or around that date, giving him at least 10 to 15 games to see what the post-LaVine Bulls look like and allowing him to make decisions on DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso.”
The latest rumors from Chicago are consistent with recent reports that the Lakers are reticent to make deals before the deadline, preferring to analyze the club once it is fully together. According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the purple and gold are also not actively selling D’Angelo Russell, who would be the major piece in any LaVine trade. Scotto also mentioned that Rui Hachimura, Christian Wood, and Gabe Vincent could be traded.
Do the Lakers Need Zach LaVine?
After defeating the Spurs 122-119 on Wednesday night, the Lakers improved to 15-10 (5th in the West). There has been a lot of speculation linking them to LaVine.
According to HoopsHype blogger Yossi Gozlan, the Lakers make sense for LaVine right now, which comes a month after the initial word that LaVine was willing to trade:
“So the question is, how much is Chicago going to require from the Lakers or any other team to trade him? If they’re not getting the type of value they want, are they comfortable just getting off that money and maybe taking just a little bit of value?”
Scotto went on to say that the Lakers would have to “decide if having LaVine as the clear third guy at his salary is worth it, or do you try to do it more by committee like they did last year?”
The Lakers are on the verge of having their entire squad healthy for the first time this season. As trade season approaches, it makes sense for Rob Pelinka and company to assess the squad. If the team continues on its current path, they may not even consider a LaVine deal by February. Why not continue to the two star formula that worked so well for them years ago?
The Athletic’s Darnell Mayberry also warned that the Lakers wouldn’t be as great of a fit as they seem:
“I wouldn’t call LaVine a perfect fit in L.A. That was Buddy Hield, and the Lakers fumbled that deal. LaVine sounds ideal next to LeBron because he can shoot. But put LaVine on the Lakers, stash him in the corner and see how that goes. What we might think is good for LaVine and what LaVine might want for LaVine could be vastly different.”
The Last Word
The LaVine sweepstakes might last until the trade deadline, and his trade market will emerge in due course. The Lakers are correct to hold off on prospective trades as they begin to realize the fruits of their labor with a healthy roster. As the old adage goes, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
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