The Chicago Bulls (22-25), who have seemingly turned things around from their early-season doldrums, found a way to lose a game to the Indiana Pacers that they led by as many as 21 points falling 116-100. They have still won 11 of their last 18 games and should have their sights set on bigger things.
Getting out of the Play-In Tournament and comfortably into the playoff field as the six-seed would be a good place to start but has proven challenging.
It has been reported that we should expect a quiet trade deadline amid the Bulls’ resurgence, management’s steadfast commitment to this core, and ownership’s aversion to adding salary to an already expensive but limited group. And, if the Bulls end up going in the other direction on the basketball court, a change could be needed.
In that happens, some feel they should entertain a trading Zach LaVine.
Bulls Urged to Swap Zach LaVine for Russell Westbrook
“Let me put on my Bill Simmons hat and ask you, ‘who says no’, Zach Lowe said to guest Bobby Marks on the January 24 episode of ‘’ podcast. “Zach LaVine for Russell Westbrook and both first-round picks – let’s say one is unprotected and the second one has the most limited possible protections that are allowable under NBA rules.”
Bulls Get:
Russell Westbrook
2x 1st Round Picks (2027 and 2029)
Lakers Get:
Zach LaVine
“I would seriously consider it if I was Chicago,” Marks replied. And I think my intent would be, then, now what’s your direction? Now, what do you do with DeMar [DeRozan] and [Nikola Vucevic]? But, I think two unprotected [first-round picks] – between him and [Bradley] Beal, man, I don’t think it’s going to be pretty on the back end of those contracts.”
LaVine’s five-year, $215 million max deal has a $48.9 million player option in the final season.
Sending LaVine to Los Angeles – where he lives in the offseason – has been a popular notion since the summer when he dipped his toe into free agency. He ultimately re-signed with the Bulls without taking any other visits but this idea has persisted.
Proposed Bulls Blockbuster Ships Out Zach LaVine for Team’s New Future
It is a combination of both the Bulls’ perceived ceiling, LaVine’s injury history, that exorbitant contract, as well as a sometimes …read more
Source:: Heavy.com