Sounds Like Teams Are Already Lining Up for a Chance to Aquire Zach LaVine

Most rumors have suggested the Chicago Bulls have zero plans to drastically shake up their roster, especially when it comes to players like Zach LaVine. But they sure could if they wanted to.

With numerous veteran assets and All-Star-caliber players on the roster, the Bulls could stumble upon quite a fruitful trade market. This feels particularly true when we consider the most recent report by Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer on the interest in Zach LaVine. While the organization still hasn’t made him available for trade, there are reportedly a number of teams already lined up to give Arturas Karnisovas a call.

Here’s what Fischer had to say:

That is why someone like Zach LaVine, the Bulls’ two-time All-Star who’s in the first season of a five-year, $215 million maximum contract, would have no shortage of suitors if Chicago decided to move the 27-year-old guard before next Thursday’s deadline — despite some concern about his recovery process from offseason arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. 

The Lakers, Heat, Knicks and Mavericks have consistently been mentioned by league personnel as holding motivations to land LaVine if the time does arrive. Portland also showed interest in signing LaVine last offseason, league sources told Yahoo Sports. Atlanta loomed as a potential LaVine destination before the Hawks splurged for Dejounte Murray.

Again, it’s hard to imagine LaVine will go anywhere over the next couple of weeks, but this undoubtedly feels like a big report when we consider his long-term future in Chicago. The mere fact that these many teams have shown interest behind the scenes implies that they believe LaVine could be on the move soon. As much as that might simply be due to the Bulls’ currently disappointing season, it’s hard not to think there could be more to it.

We’ve already gotten a report earlier this season about LaVine not seeing eye-to-eye with the Bulls organization. If the team continues on this path and eventually has to take a competitive step backward, would LaVine consider demanding a trade? If that’s not the case, would the Bulls consider trading LaVine to restock their asset pool for a proper rebuild?

My guess is the organizations Fischer lists above believe that one of the two can happen as soon as this summer. And I can’t call them crazy for thinking that.

I’ve maintained my position that I do not think the Bulls will move their max man in the near future. However, I also can’t deny that it’s encouraging to hear there are so many trade partners available. Whether it be the Lakers’ two first-round picks, the Knicks’ stockpile of assets, the Trail Blazers’ young talent, or the Hawks’ potential for an All-Star-swap (Trae Young’s future is also reportedly in question), there are many options for Arturas Karnisovas to consider. And that’s exactly the position you want to be in if things were to go south.

We’ll now have to keep our eye on if any more LaVine reports surface in the next handful of days. Where there is smoke …