Lakers’ Level Of Interest In Signing $215 Million Star Revealed

The Los Angeles Lakers were linked to several players, including Chicago Bulls star Zach LaVine. He would have been an excellent addition to the roster, but now we have an update on the Lakers’ interest in signing him.

Adrian Wojnarowski from ESPN reported that the Chicago Bulls cannot really find a trade partner in LaVine’s case. We have a few good reasons to believe that the Lakers have no interest in getting the Bulls player.

“There is not a market for Zach LaVine right now in the NBA,” Wojnarowski said, and that’s not because Chicago has not tried to find it and isn’t currently trying to find it. It’s a combination of a few reasons.”

Lakers have a good reason to pass the star

LaVine is on a five-year max contract extension with the Bulls. He signed the $215 million deal in 2022 and will earn $40.1 million this season. He is also set to earn $138 million in the next three seasons.

“Four more years at around 45-46 million a year on average but it’s [his] productivity. And I think this is a player right now who’s out now with a foot injury he’s been in and out of the lineup.”

LaVine is not really consistent and has had just a few full seasons in his NBA career. Chicago may be trying to get a nice return for him, but NBA teams aren’t really willing to pay much for someone who will probably be the third best player on their roster.

“I think the question for teams is how much does Zach LaVine impact winning especially at the salary and with a new salary cap where you’re asking yourself: ‘Are we trading for him to be our best player? No! Our second-best player? No!” Wojnarowski said. “So if he’s our third-best player, do we want to pay that kind of money?’ And for the Bulls they want to get some value in a trade.”

The Lakers may not even try to add a new player at this point. The have won games with this current roster.