Blockbuster Trade Proposal Sends Zach LaVine To Lakers, D’Angelo Russell To Bulls

Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Lakers and Bulls:

Los Angeles Lakers Receive: SG Zach LaVine

Chicago Bulls Receive: PG D’Angelo Russell, PG Gabe Vincent, F Jarred Vanderbilt

The Lakers lost to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2024 playoffs in five games.

Meanwhile, the Bulls missed the playoffs for the second straight year. 

LaVine has been linked to the Lakers in the past since he has the same agent (Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group) as LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The Bulls will try to trade LaVine this summer after failing to find a taker for him this season, multiple NBA sources told HoopsWire. 

“LaVine won’t be the favorite target for Lakers fans this summer,” Swartz wrote. “But if pursuits of Donovan Mitchell, Trae Young and others fail, LaVine could be a lower-cost option instead. The 29-year-old UCLA product could thrive as a complementary piece to LeBron James and Anthony Davis. He’d give the Lakers another potential 25-points-per-game scorer, and they might not have to sacrifice any future first-round picks or Austin Reaves in a deal.

“A core of James, Davis, LaVine, Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura would be a great starting point, especially since Los Angeles would still have three first-round picks to use (either 2024 or 2025 along with 2029 and 2031) as well as some young talent to chase an additional star.”

LaVine played in just 25 games this season. He underwent season-ending right foot surgery in February.

A two-time All-Star, LaVine averaged 19.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists for the Bulls this season while shooting 45.2% from the field, 34.9% from beyond the arc and 85.4% from the free-throw line.

“Russell doesn’t look like he has a future in Los Angeles and would need to pick up his $18.7 million player option to help orchestrate this deal,” Swartz wrote. “Both Vincent and Vanderbilt battled injuries nearly all season.

“Chicago likely won’t be getting any great offers for LaVine given his recent injuries and the three years and $138 million remaining on his contract. Swapping LaVine for three starters/role players who all make under $20 million would give the Bulls far more flexibility moving forward no matter what direction they choose to go in.”

Russell averaged 18.0 points, 3.1 rebounds and 6.3 assists this season while shooting 45.6% from the field, 41.5% from 3 and 82.8% from the free-throw line. He can become an unrestricted NBA free agent this summer by declining his 2024-25 player option with the Lakers.