NEWSLETTER
As the offseason draws nearer, trade and free agency rumors are bound to increase. That means we should of course expect to hear Zach LaVine’s name resurface a bit more.
Earlier this week, we saw LaVine’s name linked to the 76ers as a potential backup plan if they strike out on their top targets. Today, a second report from Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer expressed a similar sentiment.
Here is what the insider had to say:
“If not in free agency, the Sixers believe they can use their draft assets and available cap space to acquire a difference-maker via a trade. That has led to Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine, and New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram being among trade interests.”
Make sure to read Pompey’s full piece here. As for what we think …
Chances Zach LaVine Ends Up in Philly
As of right now, I still don’t think the 76ers are the most likely target for LaVine, but clearly, those chances seem to be increasing a bit. There’s no doubt in my mind that LaVine and the Sixers are a decent match, but this is yet another report predicting that Zach is a backup plan for Philly.
The Sixers are going to be linked to Paul George until he makes his decision, and they’ll offer him more money than the Clippers will from the sound of it. Pompey’s report says that the Clippers won’t offer George more than the 3-years, $152 million they gave Kawhi Leonard last year. The 34-year-old forward is eligible to get four years and over $200 million if he opts out of his deal, which he almost certainly will.
Whether it’s George or Anunoby, however, it’s evident the Sixers are going to swing for the fences this offseason. They only have so many more years left of Joel Embiid’s prime. The time for them to win is now with Embiid having just turned 30 and Tyrese Maxey having a breakout year. While they will be linked to LaVine due to their cap space, it just seems to feel like LaVine will be their fourth or fifth option. And I have a difficult time seeing a team like Philly with a talented core in Maxey and Embiid in a big market – and with tons of cap space to spend – striking out on enough players for them to settle for a LaVine trade. But, hey, you never know!
Philly is projected to have nearly $55 million in cap space this summer, and if they wanted to they would be able to absorb a significant amount of LaVine’s cap hit without the Bulls having to take equal money back. So one of the perks of adding LaVine might be that the Bulls would have to send them draft assets in addition to Zach.
