According to NBA insider Malika Andrews of ESPN, there is “no momentum” toward the Los Angeles Lakers acquiring Chicago Bulls star Zach LaVine.
LaVine and the Bulls are open to parting ways and the Lakers have been heavily linked to LaVine since he has the same agent (Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group) as LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
However, Andrews is reporting that the Lakers and Bulls aren’t close to making a deal.
“For what it’s worth, from everything I have been told by sources within the Lakers, there is no movement for them to be looking to make a deal for Zach LaVine,” Andrews said on NBA Today. “Of course, everything is fluid, as Stephen A. says, and things could change. But at this moment, there is no momentum toward that.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, the Lakers have indicated a hesitancy to take on LaVine’s salary. LaVine signed a five-year, $215 million contract with the Bulls in July 2022. He’s making $40 million this season.
LaVine is averaging 20.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists this season while shooting 44.2% from the field, 33.1% from beyond the arc and 85.4% from the free-throw line. He missed 17 games in a row due to a right foot injury.
Along with his enormous contract, LaVine’s poor play this season on defense and the Bulls’ winning record without him have lowered his trade value around the NBA.
The Lakers are expected to make a trade before the trade deadline in February since they have been a walking disaster following their In-Season Tournament championship in Las Vegas, but it seems like they are on the fence about going after LaVine, who has won only one playoff game in his career.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
LaVine, 28, has career averages of 20.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Bulls. He scored a career-high 51 points against the Detroit Pistons in the third game of this season.
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