As the Chicago Bulls continue to figure things out on the fly, a recent hot stretch could change their way of thinking in regard to the trade market. Recent reports have indicated that the Bulls are looking to add win-now pieces and draft capital at the deadline, but how much has their ceiling truly changed?
Since Zach LaVine got injured, the Bulls have been performing well, but in the grand scheme of things, they still project to be a low-tier Play-In team at best. Because of that, they should still be aiming to reset the roster, and rumblings have indicated that the front office is focused on finding a deal for LaVine.
And now, LaVine’s desires are clear, too. According to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, the Bulls star wants to join the Los Angeles Lakers in a potential trade.
“The Bulls have been linked to the Lakers and Raptors in the rumor mill, but multiple sources said LaVine and his representation obviously want Los Angeles because of the Klutch Sports connection,” Cowley wrote.
The Lakers have long been connected to LaVine as they hunt for extra firepower to pair next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and reports have indicated the Bulls’ fondness for Austin Reaves.
That said, Cowley noted that a deal involving D’Angelo Russell as the centerpiece seems most likely.
“Of that group, a package featuring Russell has been thrown around the most in the rumor mill because of the money that has to come back,” Cowley wrote. “With LaVine making $40 million this season, Russell meets $17.3 million of it.”
The NBA trade deadline is on February 8, and it’s looking more and more likely that LaVine is not a Bull by the time it rolls around.
