Los Angeles Lakers are open to trading D’Angelo Russell for Zach LaVine.
Since purportedly requesting a trade from the Chicago Bulls, the Los Angeles Lakers have been linked to Zach LaVine of the Bulls. However, the parties do not appear to be that close to an agreement just yet. According to The Athletic, the Lakers’ preliminary trade proposal centered around D’Angelo Russell.
“For LaVine specifically, I think the Lakers would consider a D’Angelo Russell-centric deal, but I don’t think they’d throw in much more than a combination of salary filler (Rui Hachimura and/or Gabe Vincent), a young prospect (Max Christie or Jalen Hood-Schifino) and a protected pick (2029 or 2030 first rounder)”
On paper, the Lakers have a deep roster, with many anticipating that the contracts given to Russell, Rui Hachimura, and Austin Reaves over the summer will come in useful in a star player trade in which the team will give up several players. LaVine fits the bill for such a talent, but it appears the Lakers are unwilling to pay a high price after the Russell Westbrook trade flopped in 2021.
LaVine, who is an exceptional shooter who can score in a variety of ways, is a better fit next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis than Westbrook was. His contract is big, and the Lakers would have to be cautious while also balancing their roster by acquiring a swingman like LaVine in a transaction that would force them to give up a guard like Russell and a forward like Hachimura.
LaVine averaged 21.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.4 assists before suffering an injury this season, and many expect him to be moved before making a comeback. Russell is averaging 15.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game, but his team has lost four of their last five games.
The Chicago Bulls Want Austin Reaves
According to reports out of Chicago, the Bulls dislike every player on the Lakers’ roster save Austin Reaves. With more players on the market than simply LaVine, the Bulls could be willing to trade for any of their best players, including Alex Caruso and DeMar DeRozan, provided Reaves was on the table.
“I believe any deal involving the Lakers must include Austin Reaves.” According to my sources, the Lakers are not interested in dealing Austin Reaves.”
The Lakers are understandably reticent to part ways with one of their best young acquisitions in recent memory. Reaves is averaging 15.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game, excelling in the sixth-man role that the Lakers have assigned him to following a sluggish start. Even throughout the Lakers’ current slump, Reaves has been solid and a consistent 20-point threat, which Russell cannot say.
With the team’s offensive issues this season, Los Angeles likely want to keep Reaves in any deal to get LaVine, as the pair may form the team’s future backcourt if Russell is moved. In any case, James is the primary playmaker and might lead the team to an offensive comeback this season if he is surrounded by more trustworthy scoring options.
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