The Los Angeles Lakers continue to prefer DeMar DeRozan and/or Alex Caruso from the Chicago Bulls over Zach LaVine, according to NBA insider Jovan Buha of The Athletic.
The Lakers are in Chicago to face the Bulls today, so the two teams could talk about trades.
LaVine, LeBron James and Anthony Davis have the same agent (Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group). LaVine wants the Bulls to trade him to the Lakers, but his large contract makes things difficult.
“My understanding is that the Lakers continue to prefer DeRozan and/or Caruso given their contracts, as previously reported,” Buha wrote in his latest NBA intel column. “The Lakers have preferred year-to-year flexibility over long-term salaries since their championship run in 2020, especially after the catastrophic Russell Westbrook trade. DeRozan is on a $28 million expiring deal. Caruso is making $9.5 million this season and $9.9 million next season, both team-friendly figures given he’s one of the league’s best defensive guards. LaVine, meanwhile, represents a significant commitment for a player who’s been a borderline All-Star at best.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Alex Caruso, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
DeRozan is averaging 22.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists this season, Caruso is averaging 9.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.2 steals and LaVine is averaging 21.0 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists.
The Lakers are expected to make a trade before the trade deadline in February. Most people around the NBA believe Los Angeles and Chicago will complete some trade.
DeRozan, LaVine and Caruso all have ties to the Lakers. DeRozan met with LeBron and Davis in the summer of 2021, LaVine (as written above) has the same agent as LeBron and Davis and Caruso won the 2020 championship with the Lakers.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Alex Caruso, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
The Bulls have played better since LaVine went on the injured list. Meanwhile, the Lakers have struggled since winning the In-Season Tournament in Las Vegas. It will be fascinating to see what happens between Chicago and Los Angeles.
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