DeMar DeRozan, Alex Caruso, and Zach LaVine have all piqued the eye of scouts in Chicago. With DeRozan’s contract set to expire this summer, LaVine’s discontent and fading fit with the current squad, and Caruso’s evident importance to a championship-contending team, all three have been the talk of the NBA for the last month.
The Los Angeles Lakers have been regarded as a possible suitor for any combination of the three Bulls’ players, and with Rich Paul representing LaVine, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis, that has gained steam in recent weeks. Who are the Bulls’ demands in return, and would the Lakers pay the asking price to acquire one or more of Chicago’s pieces?
Austin Reaves is the center of attention
In a deal including DeRozan and Caruso, Chicago is expected to request Austin Reaves.
The Lakers have expressed greater interest in those two than LaVine, presumably because their fit with the current Lakers squad is better than a sharpshooting guard who is a defensive problem. Reaves would be a fascinating addition to the Bulls’ roster.
In his first three seasons, the 25-year-old has upped his usage, scoring, assists, and rebounds, and in 2023 he is averaging nearly 15 points, five rebounds, and five assists per game. He is currently Los Angeles’ sixth man and has the freedom to play with the second unit, but he does earn a closing slot on the floor in close games.
Reaves, who earned his stripes in last year’s postseason run, was also a member of Team USA last summer, where he confirmed his place among the NBA’s top young players.
Last season, he averaged over 21 points and five assists in the Western Conference Finals, where the Lakers were defeated by the NBA Champion Denver Nuggets. His playmaking and scoring ability might be a welcome addition to a Bulls bench that is lacking a regular second-unit scoring option, and at 25 years old, he could also be Coby White’s running partner for years to come.
DeRozan and Caruso For Reaves
The Lakers have showed interest in obtaining DeRozan and Caruso, thus a trade is unlikely until January 15th, 2024, when numerous Lakers players become available for trade. If both parties agree, this includes Reaves and Rui Hachimura, who would also be included in the pact for salary purposes.
The #Bulls want Austin Reaves as the centerpiece in a trade with the #Lakers for DeMar DeRozan & Alex Caruso, per @sam_amick from the @TheAthletic pic.twitter.com/DCStc0ZI3Z
— Die-Hard Chicago Bulls Fans (@DieHardCBfans) December 18, 2023
Los Angeles must match the Bulls’ salary assets of $37 million in order to execute.
This comes to $12 million for Reaves, $16 million for Hachimura, $4.5 million for Taurean Prince, and at least $1 million for Jaxon Hayes or another filler player this season. An exchange of draft picks is also possible, given that Chicago had requested two first-round picks for Caruso’s services. up addition to the talent package, the Lakers may have to throw up a second-round pick.
Can the Bulls find a better deal than Reaves and roster fillers for DeRozan and Caruso, or will this be the best they can get for two of their most prized trade pieces? Building around Coby White, 23, and Austin Reaves, 25, might result in one of the NBA’s youngest and greatest backcourts for several years.
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