3 Most Like Zach LaVine Trade Destination Following Latest Report
As the Chicago Bulls' offseason continues, all eyes are on Zach LaVine. The 29-year-old wing is the subject of trade rumors following an injury-plagued 2023-24 campaign that saw him held to just 25 games. He's still under contract for three more seasons with an average cap hit of around $46 million.
Bulls fans would love to see the situation handled quickly, but that likely won't be the case. Forbes Sports' Evan Sidery is reporting that even though Chicago will likely try to move the veteran sharpshooter, "his market appears to be severely limited."
The Bulls will attempt to trade Zach LaVine this offseason, but his market appears to be severely limited.
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) May 26, 2024
Only one team reportedly showed interest in LaVine at the deadline, the Pistons, but they will likely pivot with GM Troy Weaver’s future with the organization seriously in… pic.twitter.com/P1WfegyiEW
According to Sidery, "LaVine’s contract is viewed as an albatross" and won't be easy to move. The situation is at the point where the Bulls "might have to attach an asset" or accept a less-than-desirable return to move the former UCLA Bruin.
Taking the Sidery's latest report into account, here are the three most likely trade destinations for Zach LaVine this offseason.
1. Detroit Pistons
When it comes to potential offseason destinations for LaVine, the Detroit Pistons are consistently seen as being in the mix. After all, the Pistons are heading into the summer with approximately $61.3 million to spend, giving them enough space to fit the veteran's monster contract.
While Detroit boasts solid young players like Cade Cunningham, Ausar Thompson, and Jalen Duren, the roster lacks a proven difference-maker like LaVine. While the Renton, WA native has only made one postseason appearance in his 10-year career, he's still played nearly 600 career games at an elite level, averaging 20.5 points on .464/.382/.834 splits.
The Pistons previously targeted LaVine ahead of the trade deadline, but couldn't pull off a deal. Even though newly hired president Trajan Langdon's arrival could spell bad news for Detroit general manager Troy Weaver, it wouldn't be shocking if the Pistons still targeted LaVine due to his being one of the bigger available names.
If the Bulls can't find any suitors who are willing to match their asking price, they might be forced to circle back to the Pistons. After all, the last thing the team and fans want is to head into the 2024-25 campaign only to deal with "Will/Won't LaVine Be Traded?" articles for another year.