NBA insider Jovan Buha of The Athletic believes the Los Angeles Lakers would consider a D’Angelo Russell-centric trade for Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine.
LaVine wants to get traded to the Lakers. The two-time All-Star has the same agent (Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group) as LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Buha, who covers the Lakers for The Athletic, doesn’t think the Lakers would include Rui Hachimura or Max Christie in a deal for LaVine.
“For LaVine specifically, I think the Lakers would consider a D’Angelo Russell-centric deal, but I don’t think they’d throw in much more than a combination of salary filler (Rui Hachimura and/or Gabe Vincent), a young prospect (Max Christie or Jalen Hood-Schifino) and a protected pick (2029 or 2030 first rounder),” Buha wrote. “The Lakers would fight to keep Hachimura and Christie, to be clear. But I see that offer on the high end of what they’d be willing to give up.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: D’Angelo Russell, Los Angeles Lakers, Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls Updates
Russell is averaging 15.3 points, 3.1 rebounds and 6.2 assists for the Lakers this season while shooting 46.7% from the field, 38.2% from beyond the arc and 76.8% from the free-throw line.
Meanwhile, LaVine is averaging 21.0 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists for the Bulls while shooting 44.3% from the floor, 33.6% from 3 and 86.6% from the foul line.
The Lakers are 15-13 on the season, while the Bulls are 12-17. Chicago beat Los Angeles last night by a final score of 124-108. LaVine didn’t play since he’s still hurt. Russell played poorly, finishing with just two points in 27 minutes.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: D’Angelo Russell, Los Angeles Lakers, Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls Updates
It will be fascinating to see if the Lakers pull off a trade for LaVine, who is making $40 million this season. Russell, who waived his implied no-trade clause in July, is making $17 million this season.
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