Zach LaVine, a two-time All-Star, is still a target for the Chicago Bulls in trade negotiations.
For a variety of reasons, including LaVine’s contract and injury history, they have not been able to find a taker. However, Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report proposed a three-team agreement that would ultimately put an end to the unresolved matter.
The Bulls would also select 2023 No. 17 pick Jalen Hood-Schifino, along with two past No. 2 overall picks, Brandon Ingram and D’Angelo Russell.
In the outline that Bailey recommended, they would split up with LaVine and Chris Duarte.
But the trade fell through as planned, and the Bulls are now over the second luxury tax period, when they are hard-capped unless more players leave. The Bulls agree to the transaction once Jevon Carter, their backup point guard, joins.
Bulls receive:
Russell, Brandon Ingram D’Angelo
Jalen Hood-Schifino
First-round pick in 2029 (via LAL)
First-round pick in 2031 (via LAL)
Lakers receive:
Zachary LaVine
Antonio Reeves, the Pellicans
Cam Reddish
Jason Hayes and Chris Duarte
Carter, Jevon
Rui Hachimura, first-round selection in 2031 (via CHI)
Bulls May Lose Money Immediately & Later Under the “Rebuilding Trade” Plan
Bailey noted on October 9 that “this is a rebuilding trade, pure and simple.” “[Josh] Giddey and Matas Buzelis should be getting developmental minutes this season. The main goal should be to escape the long-term debt that LaVine and Nikola Vučević are presently facing. And they can achieve those objectives with this trade.
This is one of those transactions when things could go out of control. It’s possible that Ingram and/or Russell have improved their trade prices by February to the point that Chicago can obtain a fair price for them as well.
.@ShamsCharania: Brandon Ingram wants to stay in New Orleans. New Orleans wants Brandon Ingram… As of right now it's a financial thing… His trade market is limited. The sense around New Orleans is he is going to be there… He is looking for 45 to 50 mil per year. pic.twitter.com/KF9RujhX1b
— Pelicans Film Room (@PelsFilmRoom) August 6, 2024
The proposed deal will reduce the Bulls’ 2024–2025 revenue by $3.1 million.
One-time All-Stars Russell (two years, $36 million) and Ingram (five years, $158.2 million) will account for a combined $54.7 million against the cap in 2024–2025, with both contracts nearing expiration.
Hood-Schifino is in the second year of his $17.8 million, four-year contract, while LaVine is in the third year of his $215.1 million, five-year deal, carrying a $45.9 million cap hit for 2024–2025. If the Bulls choose not to exercise Hood-Schifino’s contract options, they could save an additional $41.9 million in salary for the season.
Carter’s 2025–2026 player option is worth $6.8 million.
Duarte is in the last year of a four-year, $17.7 million contract, while he is in the second year of a three-year, $19.5 million agreement. It might make sense to move them before the trade deadline.
Zachary LaVine Having a Slow Start to the Preseason
It was just one exhibition match. However, LaVine was not his usual effective self in the Bulls’ opening-round 116–112 comeback victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on October 8.
The guard shot 37.5% for a total of 7 points, including 1 of 4 from beyond the arc.
Zach LaVine: still an elite shooter.@CHSN__ | @ZachLaVine pic.twitter.com/RQlQomCYX2
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) October 8, 2024
He played 18 minutes and finished the game with 2 assists, 2 rebounds, and 1 steal. The fact that he was able to recover from the game may have been the biggest step toward getting traded during the regular season and finding a new home.
LaVine is coming off a 2023–2024 poor season that was shortened by a foot ailment that required surgery. In his 25 games, he averaged 19.5 points and had a 34.9% three-point shooting percentage.
But in 77 games in 2022–2023 he averaged 24.8 points and shot 37.5% from beyond the arc.
