There has already been quite a bit of trade buzz in the NBA before the calendar has even reached December, and the big name people have been talking about most is Zach LaVine, the Chicago Bulls’ two-time All-Star wing.
The Los Angeles Lakers have been one of the teams that have been most linked to LaVine. While it is debatable whether he would have a positive impact on the team, there have been multiple reports that the team has some real interest in pursuing him.
But LaVine could be a costly trade target, as he has a big contract, and thus it may be more prudent for L.A. to go after other players. According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, one of those players could be John Konchar of the Memphis Grizzlies.
Via HoopsHype:
“Reserve forward John Konchar is also a candidate to be dealt before the February trade deadline,” wrote Scotto. “The Celtics, Warriors, and Lakers are among the teams who’ve kept tabs on Konchar’s situation from afar, HoopsHype has learned.”
The Grizzlies, who are currently without mainstays Ja Morant, Steven Adams and Marcus Smart, are 4-13, which is the second-worst record in the Western Conference. Morant is serving a 25-game suspension while Smart may not return until late December, and Adams is out for the season, which may make this a lost season for them. As a result, changes may be in order for Memphis.
Konchar, a 6-foot-5, 210-pound wing who is originally from Chicago, has shown some promise as a 3-point shooter in his five NBA seasons. He has career averages of 4.5 points and 4.0 rebounds in 17.3 minutes a game.