NEWSLETTER
The Los Angeles Lakers sound ready to strike nearly any deal with the Chicago Bulls. While conversations have largely centered around the organization’s potential interest in Zach LaVine, recent reports state that he may not even be first on their wish list.
The Athletic’s Jovan Buha spoke about a potential LaVine-to-the-Lakers trade on an episode of Hoops Tonight with Jason Timpf. During that conversation, the beat reporter claimed that two other Bulls may be drawing greater interest for Los Angeles internally.
“I’ve actually heard they’re more interested in DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso. AC, he is the one that got away. Lakers fans, it still bothers them. Inside the organization, it’s still a very divisive topic in terms of his departure, and why that happened, and who’s to blame. It’s just kind of a thorny situation still. And then DeMar is someone the Lakers have courted for several years now …
There is real interest in all three guys, but what I’ve been told DeMar and Alex are higher on their priority list.”
To be absolutely clear, Buha does still reiterate that the Lakers have a “real” interest in all three players. But there are – unsurprisingly – more questions about absorbing the hefty salary that LaVine is owed. The two-time All-Star is making $40.1 million this season, and he still has roughly $138.0 million coming his way over the following three seasons (which includes a $48.9 million player option in 2026-27). With greater restrictions now set for going significantly over the luxury tax, adding players like LaVine is something that even organizations like LA will have to think a bit harder about.
We also can’t ignore the fact that the Chicago Bulls would simply demand more for Zach LaVine than DeMar DeRozan. For a franchise that has minimal future draft capital and few young assets, targeting DeRozan and his expiring deal would be the easier route. As for Alex Caruso, making this deal work would still be easier than making a LaVine deal work, but I do think the price could quickly make LA uncomfortable. He’s expected to generate tremendous interest across the NBA if put on the open market, which we talked more about here.
Still, I’m actually rather happy to hear that LA has this much interest in the Bulls’ other assets. I’ve already made clear that I think several other teams could present Chicago with a better offer than LA, even if they decide to include Austin Reaves. But that also doesn’t mean I have zero interest in some of the Lakers’ assets. Whether it be their 2029 first-round pick or young players like Jalen Hood-Schifino or Max Christie, those are decent pieces to add to a rebuild. Assuming the Bulls could still flip LaVine elsewhere for a better package, I’d be fine returning to them for a separate deal that includes some of those assets.
What this should remind us is that the trades can’t stop with Zach LaVine. The Bulls have several other valuable veterans on this roster that should net them good value. The only way they can turn this 5-14 season into a success is if they take advantage of that fact and admit that this core has failed. Los Angeles is literally lining up to grab whatever they can get … don’t take that for granted.
Catch the full Hoops Tonight interview with Jovan Buha here …
