Chicago Bulls Rumors: The Blazers likely aren’t a LaVine trade partner

The offseason is about to be at its height, with the 2023 NBA Draft coming in two days and trade talks heating up by the second. The Chicago Bulls are becoming a team to watch when it comes to a potential blockbuster trade, too.

For a few days now, it’s been known that the Bulls are engaging with other teams to gauge interest on a potential Zach LaVine trade. Already, we have seen Bradley Beal dealt from Washington to Phoenix, and there are going to be plenty more moves to come. Could LaVine actually be on his way out?

So far, we know that the Bulls are likely wanting a young player plus multiple first-round picks, or an established player along with a first-round pick, in exchange for LaVine.

One of the teams some fans and even media have wondered about when it comes to dealing for LaVine is the Portland Trail Blazers. As of right now, though, you can probably count Portland out on a LaVine trade.

The Blazers are unlikely to engage in trade talks with the Chicago Bulls centered around Zach LaVine

Yahoo Sports NBA insider and columnist Jake Fischer recently wrote:

“Zach LaVine, the Bulls All-Star guard who flirted with Portland as he reached unrestricted free agency last June, also does not appear to be a legitimate target for the Blazers.”

There is a lot of uncertainty around the future of Blazers star guard Damian Lillard and whether or not he indeed wants out of Portland. At this point, Lillard has been one of the most loyal, if not the most loyal, star in this league for a good decade.

But, the veteran is set to turn 33 in July and has likely reached a point where he simply wants to win. He’s done a lot of talking about his loyalty in the past, but it might be time for him to move on.

Still, Fischer writes that Portland would like to build around him once more and try to win now.

That will be easier said than done, especially with a guy like Lillard who has seemed less and less committed to the Blazers in recent seasons.

For the Bulls, they’ll have to find a different suitor, it appears.