Bulls linked to Lakers rising star guard in potential blockbuster trade

The Chicago Bulls will never stop looking for a Zach LaVine trade.

While Chicago would give LaVine to virtually anyone at this point, the Los Angeles Lakers are a potential suitor that keeps arising.

Given LaVine’s $138 million owed over the next three seasons, the Lakers would have to part ways with contracts like D’Angelo Russell ($18.7M expiring) and/or Rui Hachimura ($35M over two years) in the deal.

From there, negotiations would likely center around Austin Reaves, whom the Lakers would want to keep and the Bulls would want to acquire.

Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes recently noted why Reaves would be a good addition for Chicago.

“It may not seem sensible to add another guard to a team that already has two good ones in Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu, but neither of those two is likely to extend off of their current deals and will hit free agency in 2026,” Hughes said.

“Reaves would be a key piece in the return for Zach LaVine if the Bulls and Lakers can agree on a deal to send the two-time All-Star to L.A.—one whose shooting and playmaking would allow Chicago flexibility in the way it builds out the rest of the roster.”

The question for the Lakers is, would they really be upgrading by bringing in LaVine if they have to send out Reaves to do so?

Probably not. Unless Chicago was willing to send over valuable draft capital attached to LaVine (which they should absolutely not do), Los Angeles would probably be unmoved by any offer that includes Reaves.

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