Their 44-point loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday notwithstanding, the Los Angeles Lakers have played better basketball of late. They have won seven of their last 10 games, and they may be gradually figuring things out.
Still, they are a mediocre 10-8, and some believe they have an incomplete roster as far as being able to win the NBA championship. Thus, rumors continue to circulate that they’re interested in trading for Chicago Bulls star wing Zach LaVine.
Realistically, the Lakers cannot trade for him for a little while because several of their most viable trade assets cannot be traded yet. Insider Shams Charania said the Bulls would covet Austin Reaves in a potential deal for LaVine, but he also said the Lakers organization will be patient in terms of upgrading via the trade market (h/t Lakers Daily).
"I expect them to express interest in Zach LaVine."
– @ShamsCharaniaDo the Lakers need a 3rd star??
📺: https://t.co/qYBPWhYgh7 pic.twitter.com/8dszo21Fcu
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) November 28, 2023
“I expect them to express interest in Zach LaVine, but he’s making almost $40 million,” Charania said. “And so to total the salaries, to reach that amount in a trade, guys like D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, they are not both trade-eligible till mid-January. And so the Bulls — I’m sure — would covet Austin Reaves in any potential Zach LaVine trade as any team would. If you’re the Lakers and you’re out there trying to pursue a third star, whether that’s Zach LaVine, anyone else that becomes available, the player that teams will ask about is Austin Reaves 100%.”
Charania added the Lakers have been reluctant to include Reaves in any potential trade, including the deals they discussed with the Brooklyn Nets months ago that would’ve brought them Kyrie Irving.
After the Russell Westbrook fiasco two seasons ago, it makes sense for L.A. to be patient and not rush into pursuing someone such as LaVine who may turn out to be nothing more than empty calories.
