Lakers, Heat and 76ers interested in trade for Bulls’ Zach LaVine

Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

The start of the 2023-24 season has been fun for fans as several teams are off to a good start.

The Los Angeles Lakers are finding their rhythm after a slow start to the year, winning three straight and posting a perfect 2-0 record in group play in the in-season tournament. Despite multiple injuries, Los Angeles managed to stay together and climb back into the playoff race.

However, the same cannot be said of the Chicago Bulls who are off to a sluggish start. The Bulls assembled a “Big 3” of DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic, but that trio failed to live up to expectations.

Currently below .500, it appears Chicago is open to discussing trades for LaVine and Los Angeles is rumored to be interested in the All-Star via Shams Charania of The Athletic:

“I’m told teams have started to sound out the Bulls about the availability of Zach LaVine and I’m told there is increased openness from LaVine and the Bulls on a trade. Most NBA general managers are here in Chicago today. This is where the conversations should begin in earnest as the season begins. And the teams that should have some interest in LaVine, I’m told, are the Lakers, Heat and 76ers. So the Bulls 4-7, there’s obviously uncertainty around LaVine and also DeMar DeRozan. His contract is expiring, they are not close to extension negotiations and I think DeRozan also wants to see what direction this organization goes. So the feeling around the league is that whether it’s LaVine, or DeRozan or both, there could be some movement in Chicago sooner rather than later.

As of now, the Lakers don’t have many tradeable contracts to offer in a potential LaVine deal, although that will change later in the regular season when players like Gabe Vincent, Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves will be eligible to be traded. With Los Angeles booming, it doesn’t feel like they’d make a blockbuster, although things can change quickly.

For the Bulls, they have been mired in mediocrity for years now and trading LaVine to jumpstart a rebuild seems like a smart move. This situation is one to watch, especially if Chicago continues to slide in the standings.

NBA executive thinks Lakers could trade for Alex Caruso

LaVine isn’t the only Bulls guard the Lakers have been linked to, as one NBA executive believes they could pursue Alex Caruso, which would be one heck of a reunion.

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