The trade market for Bulls guard Zach LaVine is “still barren,” ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski writes on Threads in a question-and-answer session with fans.
LaVine’s right foot injury is complicating Chicago’s efforts to find a taker for LaVine, Wojnarowski adds. He hasn’t played since November 28, and the team announced in early December that he would be sidelined for another three to four weeks while receiving treatment for inflammation in the foot. He has reached the three-week mark and recently began working on “light cutting” in hopes of working his way back onto the court.
The Bulls have been trying for weeks to work out a LaVine deal as the first step in what was expected to be a larger roster shakeup. However, the team has played much better without him, winning nine of its last 13 games to climb into 10th place in the East.
LaVine remains a dangerous offensive player, even though his current scoring average of 21.0 PPG and his shooting percentages of 44.3% from the floor and 33.6% from three-point range are all down from recent years. Questions about LaVine’s defense and durability are affecting his trade value, along with a hefty contract that will pay him nearly $138MM over the next three seasons if he picks up his player option for 2026/27.
Also on Threads, Wojnarowski states that Toronto “just isn’t there” on decisions to part with Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby. The Raptors‘ forwards are both headed toward free agency next summer, but it appears team president Masai Ujiri will wait until closer to the February 8 deadline before determining whether to make them available.
Wojnarowski describes trade talks around the league so far as “lots of buyers, few sellers.” He says the play-in tournament affects that balance, with more teams seeing a potential path to the playoffs. A draft class that’s projected to be weaker than normal also comes into play, with teams less motivated to chase a high pick without a potential franchise changer like Victor Wembanyama available.
Wojnarowski expects the trade market to eventually heat up, but he predicts “the asking price is going to be high from the really bad teams to move off assets.”
Raptors move is trading OG. Barnes is the SF here. Get the PG you need.
Watching the OKC gm. They do t even use Giddey right. Raptors should be all in on a PG.
Only team I see making a play for LaVine. Is the Lakers. You can’t just give him away. Best just to wait till next yr. Lakers are desperate to get Bron help. They are the only team I see making a decent offer for LaVine. Plus he’s a good fit there with Bron and Reaves.
If the Lakers trade for LaVine, they’ll be depleting their roster to match salaries. I don’t think that’s the smartest move for them personally. Chicago should’ve blown up this team 2yrs ago.
I disagree; the Lakers 9th ranked defense is what’s keeping them afloat. Zach *theoretically* helps with their offense, but like in Chicago, that’s not always the case. I feel like the Lakers would rather wait until closer to the deadline and roll with Reaves (currently the favorite for 6MOY) and Rui, who they’d have to give up to get LaVine. They’d rather trade for someone like Anunoby who is good at defense and can space the floor to open up lanes for their cutters and drivers, imo. Dejounte if they can get him, but I think that’s a long shot. Throw it back to the 2020 team with LeBron and Davis leading the starters, Reaves leading the bench (better than Kuzma was in that role), and defense and shooters everywhere.
They could also use a real Center over Hayes. He’s been a non-factor for most of the season and especially lately. Wood is up and down as usual; you get what you can out of him but don’t rely on him.
Fellow Rockets fans, LaVine a rocket or no? If Bulls demand the bare minimum for LaVine, should Rockets look into it? His defense is no worse than Hardens. I hate to see 40+ million sitting on the bench and coming into the game to rest a starter, but I feel like he gives a boost off the bench if Rockets go this route. The bench lacks the scoring needed to keep the starters fresh. 40+ million is a lot to have a guy coming off the bench, but I like the idea of a scoring threat coming from the bench. Something to keep the club energized when guys rest.
Bulls are 5-13 with LaVine in the lineup and 9-5 without him. He’s been on one winning team in his entire career, has a horrible contract, doesn’t play defense, and is always disgruntled. Rockets are better off without him. I’m not sure how they’d even get him trade-wise with his contract.
Don’t hate Zach but it’s been nice watching the bulls without him. Lots of good games watching with my daughter
Right. I honestly, always thought them missing Lonzo was their problem, and then I blamed Coby White amd said he wasn’t ever going to be a starting caliber PG. Then, I even further blamed DDR, and I said he just wasn’t a winning player.
Now, it is looking like I was just blind the entire time. The Bulls look significantly better without LaVine, and whatever they can get back for him should only be a bonus moving forward.
I definitely was completely wrong, but I’m glad I was because Coby White has been looking phenomenal putting up 20-25 a night with 5 rebounds and 5-6 assists.
I’m extremely happy they resigned him, and now that’s looking like an excellent deal.
Agree with you. LaVine is a great offensive talent but this is fun watching the Bulls battle for wins. Seems it doesn’t work well having DeRozan and LaVine together. When the two are playing together feels like they take turns taking all the shots. The rest of the team doesn’t know what to do.
$140m+ for 3 more years after this year. Who raises their hand and makes an offer for that contract, lack of playing time/history of injuries, and disgruntled one way play where the record/data supports it?
I could see gs or pels pulling a trigger if they got desperate. If Paul gets injured prior to deadline, it would be Paul Kuminga, Moody for Lavine. For Pels it would be Zion for Lavine plus picks. Potentially it could be w-w scenario for both or l-l if both players continue with what they are doing since coming into league.
Warriors are not trading for a high price player like Lavine since they need to resign Thompson who is about the same player.
The Bulls really a high asking price. They would be lucky to get an offer for him considering his contract, and his production.
Bulls regret not trading him to the Knicks at the deadline. Two firsts, a pick swap, RJ Barret and Fournier (one of the young players) was the offer. Not sure why Bulls would care about Klutch unless they are thinking of drafting Bronny and hoping LeBron comes to play lol
Zach Lavine and Drummond to the Lakers for D Russell, Rui H and Wood. Or Zach Lavine and Jevon Carter to Brooklyn for Spencer D, Royce O’Neil and Finney-Smith. Any of those?
Siakam for Dejounte, Hunter and a first or Siakam for Huerter, Barnes, Duarte and 2 firsts.
OG & Flynn for Dort, Giddey a first.
Thad Young, Otto for Bertans.
Lavine to the Suns would be a perfect Suns move
Beal for lavine straight up is Phoenix’s only interest at all cause lavine at least plays.
Beal still has no trade clause
The (deadline) market being “barren” makes sense, since the potential buyers tend to be contenders or teams looking to get there. LaVine isn’t a player that any such team would want, except as a flyer, and, with his contract, he’s no flyer. To the contrary, for almost all these teams, obtaining LaVine is effectively a commitment to clearing both Aprons for the balance of his contract.
IMO, CHI’s best trade partner is a team that projects to be below or barely over the cap during LaVine’s contract, they’re likely tanking, but its not required (no biggie either way since LaVine won’t win any games for them). That type of team might view a headliner who could help their highlight reel and keep the fanbase engaged a good use of their space below the cap and/or tax line. I can’t imagine it would be for a package of valuable assets beyond that space though. It will be hard enough to find that team at the deadline.
My thoughts are one team may be desperate enough to trade for him the Pistons. They could package Bagley, Harris and Wiseman to Bulls. Bulls get rid of the contract while Pistons get a star. It will be very hard for Pistons to attract free agents this off season so bring in a over priced former all star might be their best option.
Makes sense, particularly if they get rid of Bagley’s 12 mm salary next year. They could take LaVine and still have almost 50 mm in cap space. It may be the type of distraction DET’s FO needs right now. Nothing to do with winning, but when has that mattered.
Doubt greatly that the Pistons will want to take on LaVine’s contract. Think the Piston’s best plan should be to just trade away their older players at the trade deadline for draft picks or whatever, draft well and keep their contract situation open. Do what Philadelphia and OKC did ‘the process’.
Will their coach allow that to happen. He is not showing much of allowing the rookies to play. Piston’s owner is taking the heat so telling the fans we are stripping the team of players will not help them.
For the Pistons, there is no quick fix to getting good. Just have to be patient and hope that a few good players can be acquired either through the draft or free agency to add to their nucleus of Cunningham, Duren, Stewart, Thompson and Ivey. Pistons should just be patient and maintain financial flexibility.
That “best plan” is essentially what they’ve been doing for the past 3+ years. The older players (other than BB) they currently have aren’t bringing back anything but other bad contracts.
They haven’t really drafted poorly. Other than Hayes, their real choices, Stewart, Bey and Duran (outside the top 5), exceeded their draft expectations for their draft position. Sasser too. Top 5 picks are mostly proscribed by the league consensus, no real choice. Any team would have drafted CC, Ivey and Thompson with the picks they were gifted.
Their issue is they didn’t get the outlier good luck in ping pong balls that’s needed to offset the team un-building that tanking brings. Not sure your suggestion of doubling down on what they’ve been doing, just be luckier this time, is one their fanbase much is going to excited about.
my point is the only chance of getting a player with all star capabilities is to trade for them. Their biggest problem is having the wrong coach for a rebuild. You have a coach that plays the same players who is not experimenting on seeing if the bench can gel and find a hidden gem. I just don’t see them bringing in a free agent unless they way over pay them which hurts in the long run.
Can’t believe the move of locking up pieces from an average team has only led to mediocre results
What does Woj have against lavine?
LaVine for Joe Harris, Bagkey or Wiseman take your pick, Jaden Ivey and a first.
Pistons need the help and although Zachs not going to fix things he’s going to make them a better side. Cade and Zach with Thompson Bojan and Duren that’s cool. Chicago can start the rebuild with Ivey, a first and there choice from Wiseman and Bagley. 2 young players and a pick along with an expiring deal clears them of Zachs contract. They are already playing better without him.
Lakers need to go heavy for Murray.
Grizzlies are on the come up with Ja back, GSW will be better once Dray is back same with the Suns and Beal all of which would drop the lakers down the standings.
Rumours are they wants Reaves, a first and that they want to start Onyeka at centre and move Capela so maybe throw in Hayes for salary cap matching and he can be there back up.
After that I think you need to add a SG, catch and shoot kinda guy. But your only assets with be Dlo and Rui.
I’d try Dlo, Rui and Christie for GTJ, Thad and Temple.
Maybe Toronto value Dlo (having dropped Schroder to the bench), Rui as a potential replacement for Siakim (who’s rumoured to be on the block) and Christie as a young SG. Thad and Temple just collect DNP’s so it’s only really GTJ who’s of value that’s leaving.
Lakers:
Murray GTJ Bron Vando AD
Vincent Reddish Prince Thad Wood
Well he makes zero sense for the Sixers bc it would deplete their depth.