Zach LaVine. Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Klutch connection continues to link Zach LaVine with Lakers

By Adam Taylor | Last updated 12/14/23

Trade rumors involving Zach LaVine continue to circle. The Chicago Bulls are reportedly interested in parting ways with the two-time All-Star as they look to either rebuild or re-tool their current roster. However, there doesn't appear to be a significant market for LaVine, primarily due to his lofty $43M-a-year salary.

According to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times , LaVine would prefer a trade to the Los Angeles Lakers. He shares the same agency (Klutch Sports) with LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

"According to a source Wednesday, with many of the players who signed contracts during the summer eligible to be traded starting Friday, executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas is finding no real market interest in Zach LaVine," Cowley wrote. "...Multiple sources said LaVine and his representation obviously want Los Angeles because of the Klutch Sports connection."

Friday opens up the trading pool for a portion of the players that signed summer deals, but there is still a very dry market for the Bulls' Zach LaVine. This could mess with AK's plans.

Read it:https://t.co/WYpBlfJGfJ
— Joe Cowley (@JCowleyHoops) December 13, 2023

Given the Lakers' offseason additions, any potential trade for LaVine would need to wait until after Jan. 15. Still, that would provide the Bulls with a little under a month to decide on what other changes they need to make to their current roster.

While LaVine may want to play for the Lakers, there's currently no telling whether Darvin Ham and Rob Pelinka are interested in making a deal happen. His contract is extremely high in comparison to his on-court production and the role he would be tasked with playing alongside LeBron and Davis. With the Bulls, LaVine is often used as a primary scoring option. As such, he's averaging 21 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.4 assists on 44.3% from the field and 33.6% from three-point range.

That role wouldn't be available on a contending team. LaVine would become a secondary or tertiary offensive option. Factor in his limitations on the defensive end, and his value, in comparison to his cost, quickly diminishes.

Chicago will face a tough task in finding fair value for LaVine. Any team that enters trade discussions will be operating from a position of strength. And with two more years (plus a third-year player option) remaining on his deal, LaVine won't have much say on where his next landing spot is going to be, regardless of which agency he's with.

More must-reads: