This year’s trade deadline could end up being the most important in recent memory for the Chicago Bulls. It was just three years ago that the Bulls traded for Nikola Vucevic at the deadline, changing the course of their franchise. Unfortunately, things haven’t gone according to plan in Chicago.
They currently find themselves in the Play-In Tournament but lack the talent to compete with the top talent in the East. Zach LaVine trade rumors have been swirling all season long, and it seems as though some teams around the league are interested in making a deal. He could be donning some new threads after February 8.
Bulls Wire has concocted a three-team mock trade that would see LaVine join a team that’s rumored to be interested in a three-team deal.
Mock trade: Zach LaVine joins Kings in 3-team trade with Warriors
Here’s the full outline of the mock trade:
Bulls receive: Andrew Wiggins, Kevin Huerter, 2026 first-round pick (lottery protected)
Kings receive: Zach LaVine
Warriors receive: Harrison Barnes, Alex Caruso
Bulls perspective
This deal would allow the Bulls to remain competitive this season while also shedding LaVine’s massive contract moving forward. Losing Alex Caruso would be tough, but they should look to capitalize on his value while they can.
Wiggins has struggled this season but is still an impressive two-way talent on a reasonable contract. He’d pair nicely with Patrick Williams at the forward spots in Chicago, especially when/if the team moves on from DeMar DeRozan.
Meanwhile, Kevin Huerter would provide the Bulls with some much-needed three-point shooting, though he’s been in a slump from behind the arc this season.
The draft pick would be useful, too, but the important part of this deal would be the return of two talented players who could help Coby White keep the Bulls in the Play-In Tournament race.
Projected rotation
Starting five: Coby White, Kevin Huerter, DeMar DeRozan, Patrick Williams, Nikola Vucevic
Bench: Jevon Carter, Ayo Dosunmu, Andrew Wiggins, Torrey Craig, Andre Drummond
(The Bulls could also choose to trade their other veterans, but this is assuming the mock deal is the only one they make.)
Kings perspective
The Sacramento Kings are one of the teams who have reportedly shown an interest in a potential trade for LaVine, and this deal would see them complete it without gutting their squad.
They would be giving up two quality players in Huerter and Harrison Barnes, but adding a third All-Star to the mix could help take Sacramento to the next level.
The one downside to this deal would be the Kings doubling down on offense rather than targeting a defensive presence, but talent is talent, and LaVine has supposedly been on their radar.
Potential rotation
Starting five: De’Aaron Fox, Zach LaVine, Chris Duarte, Keegan Murray, Domantas Sabonis
Bench: Keon Ellis, Malik Monk, Trey Lykes, Sasha Venzekov, Alex Len/JaVale McGee
Warriors perspective
The Golden State Warriors are another team that’s shown an interest in LaVine, but in this deal, they’d be the facilitator.
According to Monte Poole of NBC Sports Chicago, the Warriors are committed to their old guard of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. This deal would help them push for another playoff run with that group.
Trading Wiggins so soon after re-signing him could be rash, but getting back two quality rotation pieces in Barnes and Caruso would be huge for the Warriors.
Barnes is under contract for two more years after this one, and Caruso has one more season left on his deal after this year. That’d give the Warriors at least the rest of this year and more with them aiding their current group.
Golden State was rumored to be interested in Caruso last year, and the return of Barnes could be viewed fondly by the Warriors veterans. This deal would improve their changes this year and next, at the very least.
Potential rotation
Starting five: Stephen Curry, Alex Caruso, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Kevon Looney
Bench: Chris Paul, Brandin Podziemski, Harrison Barnes, Jonathan Kuminga, Dario Saric
