With the trade deadline just days away, the Chicago Bulls are still looking to deal Zach LaVine.
However, they continue to proceed at a glacial rate.
A combination of circumstances, most notably LaVine’s contract (five years, $215 million) and injury history, has resulted in few bidders. And the Bulls’ long-rumored asking price has only acted as a stumbling block in talks with possible buyers.
“The Lakers…” I don’t believe they were ever very interested in Zach LaVine. “The contract is just a big contract; he’s hurt again,” ESPN’s Zach Lowe stated on “The Lowe Post” podcast on February 2.” I believe the Detroit-Zach LaVine rumors are true, and if the Pistons follow through, Bulls fans should be prepared for an underwhelming return. But let’s see what happens.
LaVine’s relationship with the Lakers began during his unrestricted free agency ahead of the 2022-23 season.
In the offseason, he resides and trains in Los Angeles.
However, the logistics have never worked out for such a transaction, and the Lakers have focused their attention on colleagues Alex Caruso and DeMar DeRozan.
The Bulls are also unwilling to relocate, which has resulted in the current deadlock in Chicago.
Complications in Potential Bulls-Pistons Trade for Zach LaVine
The Bulls and Pistons were discussing a trade that would send LaVine to Detroit for veteran forward Bojan Bogdanovic.
However, the Pistons are undecided about pulling the trigger, according to multiple reports.
On January 25, The Athletic’s James L. Edwards III reported that the Bulls were asking for one of the Pistons’ “blue chip players,” which included last year’s No. 5 overall selection, Jaden Ivey, and this year’s No. 5 overall pick, Ausar Thompson, who has yet to debut for Detroit.
LaVine’s foot injury will keep him out until the trade deadline, undermining the Bulls’ hopes even more.
Billy Donovan Acknowledges Bulls’ ‘Need’ as Trade Deadline Approaches
There is also growing concern that releasing LaVine’s contract would be costly for the Bulls.
“There’s a growing feeling among rival executives that the Bulls may have to attach another asset to move LaVine, something sources said the Bulls have been hesitant to do to this point,” K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago said on February 2. “An alternative could be to merely move LaVine as a salary dump for expiring contracts.”
Johnson, who previously discussed the possibility of the Bulls including Caruso in a trade to move LaVine, also stated that the Bulls are not ready to simply dump LaVine yet.
Bulls ‘Becoming Team Play-In’
“I keep hearing from clubs throughout the league that they want Caruso. “So many teams want Caruso, or at least want to play the Bulls on Caruso,” Lowe stated. “They kept assuring me that ‘the Bulls aren’t dealing Caruso. They aim to stay in the Play-In race and keep their current position. They are telling us they do not want to trade Caruso.
“Unfortunately, they are becoming Team Play-In. They’re becoming somewhat of a Play-In poster team. You may print the Play-In posters a year in advance with DeMar DeRozan’s face on them.
Arturas Karnisovas, the Bulls’ executive vice president of basketball operations, has expressed high hopes. That includes entering this season.
During his 2023 media day news conference, Karnisovas predicted that the Bulls will be in postseason contention by this time in the season. With a 23-26 record entering play on February 3, the Bulls are 1.5 games ahead of the Atlanta Hawks for the Eastern Conference’s ninth spot.
The Bulls are 4.5 games out of the sixth seed.
A move might help improve their prospects. However, they look to be on track for a third straight trade deadline without any substantial movement.
Josh Buckhalter covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com, focusing on the Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, and Minnesota Vikings. He has been covering the NBA and NFL since 2016, with bylines at FanSided, Last Word on Sports, and Clocker Sports. He is situated in Villa Park, Illinois. Follow Josh on Twitter and Instagram, @JoshGBuck. More about Josh Buckhalter.
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