NEWSLETTER
Following the smoke billowing around Zach LaVine for months now, we may finally be approaching the fire. The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Darnell Mayberry reported on Tuesday that both the Chicago Bulls and LaVine are open to a potential trade.
Here’s the exact quote (emphasis mine):
“NBA teams are probing the availability of two-time All-Star guard Zach LaVine and there’s been increased openness from the organization and player about exploring a trade, league sources said.”
You can read their full post here.
Charania went on to suggest that the conversations could pick up as soon as Tuesday night, as all teams have representatives in Chicago for the beginning of the NCAA’s Champions Classic. In other words, this isn’t your average rumor, folks.
Unlike the other many reports about teams keeping an eye on LaVine or the Bulls answering some phone calls, this implies that real trade discussions could be in the works. Not to mention, the most significant update here is the addition of LaVine’s “openness” to a trade. What this tells us is that the dialogue behind the scenes has possibly advanced to the point where the front office has let LaVine or his camp know that things are getting more serious.
Indeed, Mayberry went on to share via X that a league source told him the Bulls are expected to look very different as soon as next month.
I can’t begin to stress enough how much more serious things have now become. While I know we’ve been stuck in an endless cycle of rumors, this is precisely the kind of report that officially gets the ball rolling on a trade. Is it possible that it leads to a dead end? Maybe. But I seriously think the new reporting of Zach LaVine’s openness changes things a lot.
There will be plenty more to get into, as I’m sure this is only the start of a domino effect. However, I want to end this post by reiterating that moving LaVine should likely mean a complete teardown. Charania goes on to share the prior reporting about the Bulls’ interest in re-signing DeMar DeRozan, but this would be a truly mind-boggling decision if they send their best trade asset and youngest member of the “Big 3” out the door.
For the sake of a truly brighter future, trading Zach LaVine means beginning a rebuild. I just struggle to see a world where any other path forward makes sense. More on that here:
