Well, maybe the Chicago Bulls will be able to trade Zach LaVine after all.
Per James Edwards III of The Athletic, the Bulls have discussed a LaVine trade with the Detroit Pistons, as Chicago remains hopeful of moving the standout shooting guard before the Feb. 8 deadline.
The trade talks also involved Detroit forward Bojan Bogdanovic.
“Similarly, the Bulls and Pistons have had conversations involving Zach LaVine, league sources say,” Edwards III wrote. “Chicago appears to be locked in on a package involving Bojan Bogdanovic and one of Detroit’s blue-chippers for LaVine and his hefty contract. Once again, the Pistons have shown no interest in parting with any of Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Jalen Duren or Ausar Thompson.”
A LaVine-Cunningham pairing might be a good start for a Pistons turnaround.
Right now, LaVine is sidelined with a right ankle sprain and is expected to miss at least another week, maybe two. The NBA trade deadline is two weeks from today.
Lavine has been available for a trade since about the second or third week of the season. Injuries have limited him to just 25 games — and that and his large contract have made him virtually untradeable.
He is averaging 19.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists, shooting 45.2 percent from the field and 34.9 on 3-pointers. He signed a five-year, $215 million contract with the Bulls in July 2022. He is making $40.1 million this season, with $43 million due next season and $45 million in 2025-26.
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