There have been rumors of a Los Angeles Lakers trade for Zach LaVine, but fans need to accept that the Bulls star may remain in Chicago or be dealt elsewhere. Some people felt LaVine could fill the biggest void bothering the Lakers. However, the team will likely go in a different direction before the upcoming NBA trade deadline. But just because the Lakers likely won’t pursue LaVine again doesn’t mean that they are out of options.
Los Angeles Lakers Top Trade Target Zach LaVine is Now “Unlikely”
Writing for the Chicago Sun-Times, Joe Cowley broke the news of the Lakers not trading for LaVine this year. According to him, there were talks between the Lakers and Chicago Bulls earlier this season. Those talks didn’t turn into anything substantial, and it’s “unlikely” they will start against now that D’Angelo Russell has been traded to the Brooklyn Nets.
Cowley wrote:
“The Chicago Bulls have made it no secret that they’ve tried to trade Zach LaVine. Earlier this season, the Bulls held trade talks with the Los Angeles Lakers. Those talks didn’t go very far, and with the Lakers having traded D’Angelo Russell to the Brooklyn Nets, it’s unlikely those talks will pick back up.”
Russell was the Lakers’ biggest trade asset, especially from a salary standpoint, and now that he has been moved to another team, they don’t have the available trade chips to entice the Bulls or match LaVine’s salary. Chicago knows they have someone special with LaVine. Because of that, they aren’t willing to commit to a trade unless they get something and someone substantial in return. While the Lakers could cobble together a different deal with multiple players and picks, both sides will probably just move on to other potential trades.
The Lakers’ Other Options
LaVine is averaging 24 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game this season. Even with a large contract, he will likely find a new home soon. As for the Lakers, they have multiple other options they can pursue. The Lakers have been reportedly looking at players like Jonas Valanciunas, Nick Richards, and even LaVine’s teammate Nikola Vucevic. Their quest for another player isn’t done yet. But, they have limited options now that Russell has been dealt away. All signs point to the Lakers pursuing another big man instead of a perimeter shot creator.
Some reports recently stated that general manager Rob Pelinka was contemplating sitting still at the trade deadline. He may instead choose to work with the team he has now. Jarred Vanderbilt is going to return from his injury soon and Dorian Finney-Smith has been working well since suiting up in purple and gold.
However, a recent loss to the Dallas Mavericks had fans crying out for more change. Many are particularly troubled by the Lakers’ frontcourt problems. They are hoping Pelinka and his staff get to work at finding a big man to put next to Anthony Davis. LaVine is a gifted player and will serve a team very well if he leaves the Bulls. But he probably won’t be coming to Los Angeles, so they need to find another path forward.
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