Transactions around the NBA were fast and furious over the last two weeks. Between the 2024 NBA Draft and free agency, teams were wheeling and dealing all around the league. Could the next big move be the Chicago Bulls finding a taker for Zach LaVine?
The Chicago Bulls have signaled this offseason that they are entering a rebuild. As a result, they are desperate to move on from the two-time All-Star.
Chicago waited way too long to accept the harsh reality of a rebuild being needed. There were plenty of opportunities over the last year or two to make some changes and reset the franchise’s goals.
Because they waited as long as they did, getting value for their best assets has been impossible. Alex Caruso being traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Josh Giddey was reportedly the last straw for DeMar DeRozan.
DeRozan found a new home this week, agreeing to a sign-and-trade that lands him with the Sacramento Kings. In return, the Chicago Bulls are acquiring Chris Duarte, two second-round picks and cash considerations.
That is a far cry from what the team could have gotten for DeRozan during the 2023 NBA offseason or ahead of the trade deadline. But, they are hoping to now parlay that deal into one centered around Zach LaVine.
According to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, the Bulls want to attach draft capital to Zach LaVine to get a trade done. Even with the draft picks attached, it is considered a long shot to get a deal done.
“And the Bulls still have two-time All-Star Zach LaVine, whom they’re still actively trying to trade, even though his maximum contract and injury history make him a difficult sell. The hope is that the two second-round picks the Bulls got from trading DeRozan can now be attached to a LaVine package,” Cowley wrote.
Desperate times call for desperate measures. With two more guaranteed years on his deal, followed by a player option for the 2026-27 season, there may not be a less desirable contract in the NBA than Zach LaVine’s.
The injury concerns are legitimate after he played only 25 games this past season. But, as we have seen in the NBA previously, no contract is untradeable.
If the Chicago Bulls attach enough assets to him, a team will bite, unloading an undesirable contract of their own. Who that team will be is anyone’s guess. Franchises with cap space to absorb Zach LaVine will require more than two second-round picks to do so.
Want the latest NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
Interested in reading the latest storylines and analysis in the NFL? Check out our partner NFL Analysis Network.
Most Popular
Comments / 0