Insider Shares Rival’s Deadline To Move Lakers All-Star Trade Target

The Los Angeles Lakers have been linked to several players in the last couple of months and Zach LaVine from the Chicago Bulls is a preferable trade target. If the Lakers front office decides to make a move, they will have to send some of their players to Chicago or even add some picks.

Jovan Buha from The Athletic reported that the Bulls could easily agree to a trade deal with the Lakers. Both sides seem to be interested in this deal.

LaVine is prone to injuries and already out due to a foot inflammation. This could be one of the biggest obstacles LA has to overcome to get him on their roster. Also, LaVine is in the second year of his $215 deal with the Bulls.

SHOWTIME ZACH LAVINE 📸

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📲 : https://t.co/QPNRiLoJ3U pic.twitter.com/J6Doh55eL9

— NBA (@NBA) November 9, 2023

“With the rest of the players that signed offseason deals eligible to be dealt after Jan. 15, [Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas] Karnisovas would like to have moved LaVine by or just after that date,” wrote Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times on December 12. “Multiple sources said that LaVine and his representation obviously want Los Angeles.”

Fun fact? LaVine spends his offseasons in LA and is also a Klutch Sports client. LeBron James and Anthony Davis are clients in the same agency.

An anonymous team personnel advisor said that, “It’s going to be LA. He’s a Klutch Sports client… No one else is jumping to get LaVine.”

This is true. NBA teams haven’t showed great interest in getting LaVine. His history of injuries and contract issues could force teams to take a step back.

Lakers have to trade some of their players to get to their desired target

Who is going to Chicago in the LaVine trade? D’Angelo Russell is eligible for a trade and the Lakers could have a few reason to send him out. First, he signed a new deal but decided to waive the no-trade clause. He struggled in the postseason and the Lakers could look for someone who can make an impact in the playoffs.

“Russell is having a nice season … and the Lakers aren’t actively shopping him,” wrote Sam Amico of Hoops Wire on December 12. “Quite the opposite. But they would in the right deal, or at least would be more likely to move Russell than some others. And they just may have to if they want a third consistent scorer in return.”

D'Angelo Russell's 4-game Western Conference Finals against the Denver Nuggets : 6.3 points on 32.3% shooting, 13.3% from 3, 3-4 from the FT line & 3.5 assists in 23.5 minutes (Had a plus/minus of -47 in the series) pic.twitter.com/fAv7x60bBI

— Lee Harvey (@MusikFan4Life) May 23, 2023