NEWSLETTER
Call it wishcasting. Call it speaking it into existence. Call it delusional. Call it whatever the heck you want! I’m not going to stop pitching the Golden State Warriors as a trade partner for the Chicago Bulls.
In my opinion, no team in the league makes more sense for either of the Bulls’ top two trade chips. Golden State remains in win-now mode and has a surprisingly robust arsenal at its disposal. In other words, they have the purpose and means to strike a deal sooner than later. And ESPN’s Shams Charania reiterated on Friday that this could be their exact intention:
“I’m told the Warriors are on the real hunt for a star, a playmaker or scorer alongside Stephen Curry,” Charania said. “You think back to this summer when they pursued Lauri Markkanen with the Utah Jazz, they made a pitch to Paul George as a free agent with the Clippers. And the debate with the Warriors, and teams that look into that situation, is for them are they going to find that externally outside of this roster currently or will it be in-house with a player like Jonathan Kuminga?”
Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic, come on down!
Why Wouldn’t the Warriors Call the Bulls?
I’m sure some will argue that neither LaVine nor Vucevic resembles the level of “star” the Warriors covet. And I’d likely agree with that argument … for now. The truth is that teams can only work with what the market gives them, and there is a very likely possibility that LaVine and Vucevic remain among the top names on the market this season.
To put it differently, these two former All-Stars may begin to look a lot more attractive as the reality of another postseason begins to set in. Time is of the essence for an organization built around a 36-year-old Stephen Curry. And, again, it’s not as if either of the Bulls’ veterans wouldn’t make sense in The Bay!
Zach LaVine could immediately insert himself as the reliable secondary scorer the Warriors need. The team has tried to fill the Klay Thompson hole with a role-playing sharpshooter like Buddy Hield or a developing youngster like Brandin Podziemski. Neither holds the scoring upside of LaVine, particularly when we consider his ability to create off the dribble.
More importantly, though, is everything LaVine can do off the ball! His elite catch-and-shoot jumper and high-flying athleticism would add a new layer to the Warriors offense. For a team that prides itself on constant movement and long-range shooting, it’s easy to envision LaVine playing within that system, especially now!
Look, I can understand why the Warriors of years past wouldn’t be LaVine fans. His questionable late-game decision-making would’ve been a concern for one of the smartest teams in the league, as would his lackluster defensive effort. But LaVine has made strides in both departments.
The version of LaVine we’ve watched this season is a far more well-rounded and self-aware player. His usage rating is the second-lowest it’s been since arriving in Chicago, yet he’s still averaging 21.3 points on 50.5 percent shooting from the field and 42.5 percent shooting from downtown. Overall, LaVine is a +9.8 when on the floor this season, which is BY FAR a career-high.
Now, if you want to toss out the contract concerns, I don’t have a great rebuttal. There is no denying that the two years, $95.0 million remaining on his contract is a steep price to pay. But when have the Warriors been afraid to go deep into the luxury tax? Yes, the new CBA has changed a lot of the thinking around the league. This undoubtedly plays a role in how LaVine’s contract is currently viewed. But, again, there is a sense of urgency here for the Warriors! LaVine is also at least playing at a level that makes that payday more palatable.
If they can’t talk themselves into it, however, what about the mere $21.4 million left on Nikola Vucevic’s contract after this season? The big man may not provide change-of-pace athleticism for Golden State, but he’s still easy to picture working within their system. He’s a great interior playmaker who can spray out to open shooters and find cutters. Likewise, Vucevic’s three-point shot has returned in style! He is shooting 46.8 percent from long range on 4.7 attempts per game.
Would there be concerns about his rim protection? Absolutely. But Draymond Green would be there to help cover up some mistakes. At the end of the day, if it’s another scoring option the Warriors want, they could do a lot worse than Vucevic.
Also, whether it’s LaVine or Vucevic, the Warriors should love the fact that neither should require them to empty out their surprisingly robust arsenal. While the price has surely gone up for each, it’s still nowhere near what it would be for a player like Markkanen or George. They would likely have multiple picks and/or young players to use for more roster upgrades.
I know the fact that the Warriors haven’t shown much interest in either player over the last year-plus doesn’t bode well for a trade. I’d put the chances of this happening pretty darn low. However, the NBA is an ever-changing organism. What didn’t appear like a viable path one day could look like the yellow brick road the next. Particularly with LaVine and Vucevic playing so well, I’m not ruling anything out until after Feb. 6, 2025.
