Today, Zach LaVine becomes trade-eligible, and it would seem the Bulls have started working on the project a bit early. Yahoo Sports’s Jake Fischer reported this morning that Chicago has already reached out to at least one potential trade partner and has made their desired package for LaVine known leaguewide. As a multi-time All-Star, the Bulls have set the price point on the lucrative side, but with his overpriced contract, injury concerns, and a terrible start to 2023, the market has been slow to meet their requests. Who did Chicago contact, and how soon can they land a deal?
LaVine For Garland Swap
This was an ambitious phone call by Arturas Karnisovas and company inside the Chicago Bulls building. Darius Garland is a 23-year-old guard with an All-Star appearance, averaging north of 21 points and 7.5 assists per game in each of his last two seasons, and is a rising star in the league. Acquiring him for the aging and less versatile Zach LaVine would be highway robbery for the Bulls.
Garland has averaged 25 points and five assists without Donovan Mitchell in four games this year. He’s also a threat from the three-point line, firing at a rate of 41% a season ago and nearly 40% across his young career. His career path is similar to Coby White’s, both in their age 23 seasons, emerging as some of the best young three-point shooting guards in the league. A tandem of the two would undoubtedly give Chicago one of the best young backcourts for years to follow.
Chicago’s Price Tag On LaVine
Also, in his report, Fischer says that the Bulls have made their price point on LaVine clear to rivaling teams. They’re expecting “an established starter, plus a young player with upside and then first-round draft capital, according to league sources.” A deal for Garland was more than likely an even swap or Garland plus salary cap fillers, but it was still a lofty goal for the Bulls’ front office.
Chicago’s best trade-talk strategy is to target teams who need a reroute on the 2023 season. The Detroit Pistons have two wins on the season, have lost 21 games in a row, and could sorely use a shakeup. Golden State is on the outside of the playoff picture looking in and has a recently benched Andrew Wiggings, disgruntled Klay Thompson, and an aging roster that could use a jolt. Memphis has the fourth-worst record in the NBA after making the postseason for the last three seasons. They could be looking for a new addition to revamp their season.
Now 5-2 without Zach LaVine and owning the second-best record in the Association, has Chicago been convinced to move on from their two-time All-Star and find the rising star Coby White some youthful help? A trade can be executed for LaVine today, and many more trade partners become available in 30 days. Look for the market to become active as teams search for a revival of their 2023 campaign, and Chicago tries to extract any remaining value from their longest-tenured Chicago Bull.
