With a 10-16 record, the Chicago Bulls are going nowhere fast, and there have been plenty of rumors they’re about to sell off some of their key players and start over. The one player most often brought up in those trade rumors is Zach LaVine.
LaVine, a 28-year-old two-time All-Star wing, is a potent scorer and an exciting player. He has been linked to the Los Angeles Lakers, although there are certainly multiple teams that will try to land him.
Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times wrote LaVine and his camp would prefer he ends up getting sent to the Lakers.
Via Chicago Sun-Times:
“The Bulls have been linked to the Lakers and Raptors in the rumor mill, but multiple sources said LaVine and his representation obviously want Los Angeles because of the Klutch Sports connection,” wrote Cowley.
LaVine is represented by Klutch Sports, the agency founded by LeBron James’ agent Rich Paul. Klutch also represents Lakers superstar big man Anthony Davis, who forced his way to the team in 2019 via trade, and many believe, whether it is true or not, that James and Klutch orchestrated that trade.
LaVine has a big contract, and therefore L.A. would reportedly have to give up a package centered around Rui Hachimura and either D’Angelo Russell or Austin Reaves. As Cowley pointed out, Russell and several other Lakers players will be allowed to be included in a potential trade starting on Friday, Dec. 15, per NBA rules.
“Lakers who would be eligible to be moved Friday include Jaxson Hayes, Taurean Prince, Cam Reddish, D’Angelo Russell, Gabe Vincent and Christian Wood.”
The Lakers are 15-10. While they had legitimate championship aspirations to start the season, they’re falling short of such expectations. Some believe they need a third star, such as LaVine, to seriously contend for the NBA title this season.