The mutual desire between Chicago Bulls wingman Zach LaVine and the Los Angeles Lakers has long been known, but no transaction has been completed. However, with both teams suffering this season and the Lakers seeking more firepower alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis, this may be the ideal time for a trade.
In this three-team trade arranged by Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey, the Bulls would give up LaVine and Andre Drummond in exchange for D’Angelo Russell, Davis Bertans, Jalen Hood-Schifino, and three draft picks from the Lakers and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Time to start anew
The writing has been on the wall for a while, but the Bulls’ front office has completely ignored it. Perhaps this astonishing stat will wake them up: the Bulls’ “Big 3” of Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Nikola Vucevic have played together for over 3,000 minutes. During that time, Chicago has averaged minus-2.8 points per 100 possessions. That is simply not good enough for a team with playoff hopes.
“When you consider the fact that those three are 28, 34, and 33, respectively, it’s hard to deny that it’s time for a fresh start. This deal at least turns them in that direction. Separate trades to bring in additional assets or young players for DeRozan and Vucevic would help too,” Bailey wrote.
Zach driving downhill 💨@NBCSChicago | @ZachLaVine pic.twitter.com/uifTnpCxWW
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 19, 2024
What the Bulls will get
With the Bulls’ young core, Russell and Bertrans could be little more than contract fillers in this deal, potentially being traded to another team. The Bulls would receive draft picks as the true benefit of this hypothetical exchange.
“Obviously, this deal is mostly about the draft compensation for Chicago. While the Bulls might want a little more for LaVine after seeing the Toronto Raptors get three firsts for Pascal Siakam, this is a pretty decent haul for a 2 with a significant injury history and little to no impact on winning for the past couple years,” Bailey wrote.
There’s just no way you expect me to believe that Zach Lavine has “no trade market” when you’ve got Terry Rozier going for a FRP. https://t.co/F4HM76H0mm
— Ross Pins (@chisportsross) January 23, 2024
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