Chicago Bulls Rumors: 3 teams that make sense for a Zach LaVine trade

The 2023 NBA offseason is about to heat up, with the draft coming in just a couple of days and plenty of deals about to go down. Already, we’ve seen a Bradley Beal trade. Could the Chicago Bulls be next up to engage in a blockbuster deal?

Rumor has it that the Bulls are doing every bit of homework when it comes to a Zach LaVine trade. With four years left on a monster contract, LaVine is tied to Chicago for a while, and some question whether or not he’s worth rebuilding around.

Recently, it was leaked via NBC Sports’ K.C. Johnson that the Bulls’ asking price for LaVine is either a good, young player and multiple first-round picks or an established player and a first-round pick.

So, which teams could be in on LaVine and might make the most sense? There are three we see, in particular.

The Los Angeles Lakers make sense for a Zach LaVine trade

The Lakers got much further than anyone anticipated in this year’s playoffs, but didn’t make it all the way. With LeBron James’ future in the air and not many more years left in the league, the time would be now for a move like this.

Financially, the Lakers could very well make this work. They have an expiring contract of over $31 million with point guard D’Angelo Russell. Meanwhile, Malik Beasley’s $15 million option is a team option, so if Los Angeles declined Beasley’s option, they’d have the necessary cap space to land LaVine.

One of the more intriguing trade chips the Lakers could offer is big man Mo Bamba. If the Bulls are truly rebuilding, then they should let Nikola Vucevic walk and ask for Bamba in a LaVine trade. Austin Reaves would also be an ideal sign-and-trade candidate in a LaVine deal.

Beyond those two players, the Lakers would also have to use some type of draft pick compensation.