The Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers are interested in acquiring Zach LaVine from the Chicago Bulls, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.
Teams are probing the availability of LaVine and there’s been increased openness from the Bulls and LaVine about exploring a trade.
LaVine is averaging 21.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists this season for the Bulls while shooting 40.9% from the floor, 30.9% from 3 and 87.9% from the free-throw line. He scored a career-high 51 points against the Detroit Pistons on October 28 in a loss.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
LaVine signed a five-year, $215.2 million contract with the Bulls in July 2022. The UCLA product has the same agent (Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group) as Lakers stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
A source told NBA Analysis Network that LaVine would “love” to get traded to the Lakers. LaVine grew up a Lakers fan.
The Heat weren’t able to acquire Damian Lillard or Jrue Holiday, so Hall of Famer Pat Riley would like to get his hands on LaVine. The Sixers, meanwhile, are open to using the assets they got from the Los Angeles Clippers in the James Harden trade to acquire a third star next to Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
However, since Philadelphia has the best record in the NBA and hasn’t lost since trading Harden, general manager Daryl Morey doesn’t want to rush into a deal.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
LaVine has career averages of 20.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Bulls. It will be very fascinating to see where the guard lands.
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