Through the first 19 games of the 2023-24 season, the Chicago Bulls have been one of the more disappointing teams in the NBA. Sitting at 5-14, the Bulls find themselves in 13th place in the Eastern Conference. Since the rough start to the season, the Bulls and their players have been mentioned in trade rumors, most notably All-Star guard Zach LaVine.
LaVine and the Bulls have had an “increased openness” to explore trade possibilities according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. Teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, and Philadelphia 76ers are expected to show some degree of interest according to the Charania.
If the Lakers were to engage in trade discussions with the Bulls surrounding LaVine, the Bulls would “covet” Lakers star Austin Reaves in a deal, per Charania.
ESPN’s Zach Lowe during a recent episode on his podcast of The Lowe Post made it clear that the Lakers are not only reluctant to include Reaves in any trade involving LaVine, but he isn’t even sure that they’d do a one-for-one swap of the two players if it were financially feasible.
“They’re not trading Austin Reaves for Zach LaVine. Like, I don’t even think they’d do that trade straight up… if it were even allowed,” Lowe said.
Despite the Bulls’ struggles, LaVine is averaging 21 points per game to go with 4.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists while shooting 44.3 percent from the floor and a career-low 33.6 percent from beyond the arc.
Reaves is a big part of the Lakers plans moving forward and LaVine’s name being floated around in trade rumors doesn’t seem like it will change those plans.
