Following reports that Zach LaVine of the Chicago Bulls had asked for a trade, the Los Angeles Lakers have been connected to the Bulls player. The sides don’t appear to be very close to reaching an agreement just yet, though. D’Angelo Russell appears to be the focal point of the Lakers’ initial trade package, according to a report from The Athletic.
“With regard to LaVine in particular, I believe the Lakers would entertain a D’Angelo Russell-centric trade, but I doubt they would offer much more than a first-round protected pick (2029 or 2030), a young prospect (Max Christie or Jalen Hood-Schifino), and salary filler (Rui Hachimura and/or Gabe Vincent).”
On paper, the Lakers have a strong team, and many believe that the contracts they gave to Russell, Rui Hachimura, and Austin Reaves in the summer will be useful if they ever need to trade for a star player that will require the team to give up a number of players. LaVine seems to be the kind of player the Lakers are looking for, but given how the Russell Westbrook trade went south in 2021, it appears they are unwilling to shell up a significant sum of money.
Being a superb shooter with multiple scoring options, LaVine is a better fit next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis than Westbrook was. Due to the size of his contract and the need to balance their roster by adding a swingman like LaVine in exchange for a guard like Russell and a forward like Hachimura, the Lakers would need to proceed cautiously.
Before suffering an injury this season, LaVine averaged 21.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.4 assists. Many people anticipated that he would be traded before he could rejoin the starting lineup. Although Russell is averaging 15.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 6.2 assists, the Lakers have lost four of their past five games, and he is currently in a slump.
Austin Reaves is wanted by the Chicago Bulls
Chicago reports have strongly hinted that the Bulls are only interested in Austin Reaves among the Lakers’ players. If Reaves was available, the Bulls might make a trade for any of their star players, including Alex Caruso or DeMar DeRozan, as there are likely more players available than just LaVine.
“Austin Reaves will almost certainly need to be included in any deal involving the Lakers,” I’ve been informed that the Lakers have no interest in trading for Austin Reaves.
It makes sense that the Lakers are reluctant to trade one of their best young acquisitions in recent memory. Reaves is playing well in the sixth-man position that the Lakers have assigned him to after a sluggish start, averaging 15.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.9 assists. Russell hasn’t been as reliable as Reaves, who has proven to be a reliable 20-point threat despite the Lakers’ recent string of poor games.
Given LA’s offensive shortcomings this season, they will want to keep Reaves in any trade for LaVine because, should Russell be traded, the two could end up being the team’s future backcourt. James is the team’s main creator anyhow, and if he has more dependable scoring options next to him, he might spearhead an offensive comeback at some point this season.
Leave a Reply