Three trade destinations for Bulls two-time All-Star Zach LaVine

Here are three teams that could be a fit for the 28-year-old Bulls star.

1. New York Knicks

New York has been patiently stockpiling assets for when a star becomes available — but at the right price. Last year the Knicks balked at the massive price Utah was asking for Donovan Mitchell, but they still have four extra first-round picks and a collection of enticing young players to offer. Is LaVine the star upgrade they're looking for?

A trade for LaVine would likely start with forward RJ Barrett, the No. 3 pick from the 2019 draft. Throw in the No. 8 pick from the 2020 draft, Obi Toppin, and some draft picks, and the Bulls have a package that gives them young talent that's also locked in long term. Barrett just turned 23, and he's signed for the next four years. Toppin is still two years away from unrestricted free agency.

Plus he makes sure the Bulls still have a dunk champion on the roster.

As for the Knicks, LaVine showed in the 2021 Olympics that he can be a fearsome defender. Along with Quentin Grimes, Immanuel Quickley and Mitchell Robinson, that's a long and athletic defense. Plus, LaVine is a good catch-and-shoot player and should be able to feast on corner threes with Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle around.

2. Miami Heat

Anytime there's a star on the market, Pat Riley and the Miami Heat are in play. They don't have the same kind of package to trade as the Heat, but in the past they've added Jimmy Butler and Kyle Lowry without many assets. It's what they do.

Taking LaVine's talents to South Beach would help a Heat offense that often bogged down in the Finals, heavily relying on three-point shooting and Butler's creation. LaVine's work ethic fits in with the vaunted "Heat Culture," and Miami has historically had no qualms about picking up big salaries.

The Chicago Sun-Times' Joe Cowley speculated that LaVine could be a "hot commodity" for Miami after its pursuit of Bradley Beal, but the downside for Chicago is that the Heat don't have great trade assets. Does Chicago really want two former Bulls stars playing together in Miami?

3. Portland Trail Blazers

The Blazers have been looking for veterans to play alongside Damian Lillard, including Miami's Bam Adebayo, which does not seem like a realistic target.

They wouldn't trade the No. 3 overall pick for LaVine, but perhaps some combination of last year's lottery pick Shaedon Sharpe, Anfernee Simons and the No. 27 pick in the draft could entice Chicago. That gives Lillard a running mate in LaVine and also some length for the chronically undersized Blazers.

Does it make Portland a contender? Probably not, but it's also unlikely any single trade can vault this Blazers team to that level. If Portland does want to keep Lillard, adding LaVine and getting back to the playoffs could be a far more reasonable goal.