3 Zach LaVine Trade Packages Bulls Need to Consider After Caruso Deal
By Cem Yolbulan
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The Chicago Bulls kickstarted their rebuild by moving on from Alex Caruso earlier this week. Josh Giddey wasn't necessarily the return Bulls fans were hoping for but at least it was a sign that more trades for future-focused assets are coming.
The most likely candidate that will be traded this offseason is Zach LaVine. The All-Star shooting guard makes $43 million for next season and is under contract for three more seasons. He has been hobbled by injuries over the last year.
Due to his contract and level of play, LaVine is unlikely to bring back much value for the Bulls. The benefit of moving on from LaVine is bottoming out and gaining financial flexibility. Let's explore some realistic trade scenarios.
Sacramento Kings
There have been reports over the past few days that the Sacramento Kings have emerged as the frontrunners to land LaVine. Sacramento is trying to add a third star next to De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis and LaVine is an obvious fit, at least on the offensive end. Defensively, it raises some questions, but the Kings have been more concerned about making the playoffs rather than going far there anyway.
The Kings have some draft capital that they can send Chicago's way but a LaVine trade will presumably not require much. Instead, they can send Harrison Barnes and Kevin Huerter to the Bulls.
lavine kings
Huerter and Barnes don't have the highest upside but they are solid role players. Huerter is still 25 and is a very good shooter. Barnes is a two-way forward that the Bulls need.
Once again, the Bulls don't get the young players or draft assets that they would prefer. But, this means that the Bulls get two tradeable players on more manageable contracts. Barnes making $18 million, and Huerter making $16.8 million for next season is much better for Chicago's books than LaVine's massive contract. The Bulls can use Barnes and Huerter and move them for positive value at the trade deadline or next offseason.