.jpg?h=920929c4&itok=MRvLV8ZN&ssl=1 "Zach LaVine transfer rumors: Lakers, 76ers, Heat and Raptors, top destinations | Sports New Spain")
With Chicago Bulls having had a very disappointing start to the season, Zach LaVine It could take some time to become part of a transfer. Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that “There was more honesty on the part of the organization and the player about choosing a trade.” Secondly, Darnell Mayberry, added: “A league source told me this week the Bulls won’t have the same roster for a month. Change looks imminent in Chicago.”
LaVine is a two-time All-Star but is in the midst of a down year. It’s average 21.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game, but is shooting just 40.9% from the field and 30.9% from three.
The Bulls player has been in transfer rumors for some time now. In fact, there have been reports in the past about what Chicago might be looking for in return for his services.
A league source told NBC Sports Chicago’s KC Johnson before the draft that the team would move on “a good young player, a lot of first round picks and a salary bonus if they decide to trade LaVine”. Someone else said this “A first-round pick and an established high-level player could be quite interesting.”
LaVine is in the second year of a five-year, $215 million contract, making any deal difficult financially. But there are plenty of teams that could meet or come close to the kind of offer the Bulls are looking for. These are LaVine’s most likely suitors.
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Top Transfer Destinations for Zach LaVine
Philadelphia 76ers
Why does it make sense?
The Sixers have the chops to make a move for a star player. One more high-level addition could be enough to make them the favorite over the Celtics. And LaVine might be the best on the market.
LaVine isn’t a perfect fit in Philadelphia. A shooting guard who also contributes defensively would be the best to line up alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. But Daryl Morey was always looking to get the best player on the market and worried about how he would fit in on the road.
What would the transfer be like?
Tobias Harris’ $39.2 million salary almost exactly matches LaVine’s $40.0 million. That trade plus two first-round picks would be a big deal for the Bulls.
In place of Harris, the Sixers could also add the expiring contracts of Marcus Morris, Nicolas Batum and Robert Covington. If they went that route, they would have to wait until December 30 to complete the transfer.
Los Angeles Lakers
Why does it make sense?
The Lakers urgently needed supporting players to accompany LeBron James. He had to increase the offensive load of the legend averaging 35 minutes per game.
Austin Reaves looks tired after playing all the way to the Western Conference Finals and the last FIBA World Cup, D’Angelo Russell has had shot selection issues, Gabe Vincent is injured, as is Rui Hachimura.
The Lakers could really use LaVine’s outside line scoring contribution. And the Bulls’ point guard defensive issues could be alleviated with a rim protector like Anthony Davis.
What would the transfer be like?
The Lakers have a first-round pick they could include in a trade in either 2029 or 2030. They would also need to include D’Angelo Russell and Rui Hachimura to approach LaVine’s salary. Both players have restrictions on their contracts that prevent them from transferring until January 15.
The Lakers’ best offer could be something around Russell, Hachimura, Austin Reaves and their 2029 first-round pick in exchange for LaVine, Andre Drummond and Julian Philips.
Indiana Pacers
Why does it make sense?
The Pacers have been able to create their best offense of all time in this start. Why not dig into it with LaVine?
LaVine hasn’t had a point guard like Tyrese Haliburton since he played with Ricky Rubio in Minnesota. There’s another level he could reach if someone made his job easier like the Pacers player.
The Pacers haven’t been able to land high-profile free agents, so going after a player like LaVine is their best chance to take a step forward.
What would the transfer be like?
The Pacers have all of their first-round picks to trade, plus an additional first-round pick in the 2024 draft.
Bruce Brown and Buddy Hield will match LaVine’s salary, although Brown cannot be moved until December 15th. Both have trade value if the Bulls wanted to move them down the stretch.
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Toronto Raptors
Why does it make sense?
The Raptors are a surprisingly interesting team. They have defended at an elite level, but their offense has been on the diametrically opposite latitude. They need help scoring.
Scottie Barnes has made a clear jump and his skills match up a bit with Pascal Siakam’s. LaVine would give them a different type of scorer who could spread the floor more for the young forward.
That wouldn’t make a lot of sense for the Bulls, but it would fit with their ethos of not wanting to rebuild. Perhaps a change of parts would create better team chemistry.
What would the transfer be like?
Siakam and LaVine’s salaries match up almost perfectly. They could be transferred directly from one to the other without the need to add other assets.
Siakam is on an expiring contract, so the Bulls would have to get some sort of guarantee that the Cameroonian would want to stay in Chicago long-term for a trade like this to work.
Miami Heat
Why does it make sense?
The Miami Heat are far from an effective offense. Jimmy Butler needs help soon. They already had an offer lined up for Damian Lillard that they could reuse with LaVine.
LaVine’s defensive deficiencies will be well covered by the Miami Heat. He’s a hard worker who would fit their culture and could take a clear support role behind Butler, making his decision-making issues much less acute.
What would the transfer be like?
Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro would make the Miami Heat exceed LaVine’s salary. The Bulls could add Jevon Carter (who has a transfer restriction until Dec. 15) to match salaries.
The Miami Heat could also include two picks in 2028 and 2030.
Golden State Warriors
Why does it make sense?
The Warriors, incredibly, have not had anyone other than Stephen Curry score more than 20 points in their first 11 games.
And they had to sit out Klay Thompson and Draymond Green and sit out Steph so Brandin Podziemski and Dario Saric could break the streak. Golden State needs to get its stars help because they lack power.
What would the transfer be like?
Klay Thompson is out of contract and his negotiations with the Warriors have not come close to reaching an extension deal. If the Californians have lost faith in him, then they can’t afford to waste one of Curry’s final top-five years.
Thompson could be traded for LaVine and Drummond, giving the Warriors some much-needed size. They could also include a 2028 first-round pick and add a 2026 pick by modifying the protections owed on their 2024 pick in Portland.
