Chicago Bulls Rumors: Zach LaVine Trade Talks Continuing

The 2023 NBA Draft passed without the Chicago Bulls making a major trade of either Zach LaVine or DeMar DeRozan but it does not appear to be due to lack of trying.

For LaVine, the Bulls’ All-Star has been a constant name in trade rumors dating back to the NBA Trade Deadline last season when talks with the New York Knicks appeared to escalate past the preliminary level.

In the months since, LaVine’s camp has made it known that the Bulls’ guard would not welcome a trade to the Knicks but that hasn’t stopped the team from bringing his name up across NBA circles.

The latest report from K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago mentions that LaVine’s name has been brought up in trade discussions with both the Philadelphia 76ers and Portland Trail Blazers.

"The LaVine trade chatter isn’t going away. In fact, league sources said that LaVine has landed in preliminary conversations with both the Philadelphia 76ers and Portland Trail Blazers, who are working with James Harden and Damian Lillard, respectively, to find them new homes.-KC Johnson via NBC Sports Chicago"

The Zach LaVine trade rumors are not slowing down for the Chicago Bulls.

With LaVine on a max contract with the Bulls, the team is a logical third team for either the 76ers or Trail Blazers as they look to move James Harden and Damian Lillard respectively. Harden is not a fit with the Bulls so it seems unlikely that there would be a straight-up deal with the 76ers and Bulls involving the two stars and Lillard has made it known that he is seeking a trade to the Miami Heat.

The Bulls seem to be walking up to the line where LaVine may just request a trade on his own. Between LaVine being at odds with DeRozan at various points of the season last year, the benching by head coach Billy Donovan at the beginning of the season, and the constant trade rumors, the Bulls’ max player may want out.

LaVine wanting out would be a blessing in disguise for the Bulls as it would allow the team to embark on a different path than the one they are currently on as a team with false hope of contending in the Eastern Conference.