3 Zach LaVine trades that would benefit Bulls and their trade partners
If the Chicago Bulls decide to trade Zach LaVine, here are three avenues that feel mutually beneficial.
With under three minutes left in the final Eastern Conference play-in game, the Chicago Bulls led the Miami Heat. We know how that story ended: Miami came back, sent Chicago packing, and rocketed all the way to the NBA Finals. Meanwhile, the Bulls are left searching for answers.
Chicago is too old to rebuild, but clearly not good enough to compete. With limited trade chips and a few distressed assets (mainly Nikola Vucevic, who is in line for an inexplicable three-year extension), it’s hard to decipher the right path forward unless that path is a complete tear-down.
Any complete tear-down starts with the team’s best player. In this case, it’s Zach LaVine, who averaged 24.8 points and 4.2 assists on .485/.375/.848 splits last season. Chicago is reportedly surveying the LaVine trade market on the down low, according to Jake Fischer of Yahoo.
LaVine’s age (28), injury history, and contract size (three years, $138 million remaining) make him a difficult player to gauge the price of on the open market. His deal is slightly shorter and slightly less expensive than Bradley Beal, who just got traded for what amounts to a bunch of second-round picks and expiring money. One has to imagine the Bulls can get more, but how much more is the question.
No. 3 Bulls Zach LaVine trade: 3-way Kyrie Irving deal
Let’s get creative here. Say Kyrie Irving spurns Dallas for another contender, maybe a more established winner in a more enjoyable locale. Let’s say, for example, the Miami Heat make Irving their next star conquest.
The Mavs would have to agree to terms on a sign-and-trade but frankly, the Heat can’t offer much that should interest the win-now Mavs. Irving could leave Dallas with very little choice, but Tyler Herro? Duncan Robinson? Does that really move the needle?
In comes Chicago with another star-level guard ready to help Dallas plug their Irving-sized void next to Doncic in the backcourt. LaVine won’t occupy the mid-range quite like Irving, but he gives Dallas another ball-handler and volume shooter who can put pressure on the rim and lead the charge offensively when Doncic sits.
The fit between Irving and Doncic is frankly a tad cleaner, but LaVine should have no trouble finding seams in the rotating defense while opponents load up to stop Doncic. He’s still in his prime despite all the injury concerns and, when healthy, LaVine is a vastly underrated offensive engine. He can really put the defense on skates and generate offense not only for himself, but also for others.
The Heat grab Irving and get more star power to aid next year’s title chase. The Bulls start their rebuild with Tyler Herro, the No. 18 pick, and a protected future first-round pick way down the line when Miami may or may not still be good.