NBA Trade Rumors: LA Lakers Fans Receive Worst Possible Zach LaVine News

Should the Los Angeles Lakers follow through on a trade for Zach LaVine? As many NBA fans might be aware, LaVine is the franchise star for the Chicago Bulls and has been with the team for the past half a decade. However, their slow start to the 2023-2024 NBA season and lack of success in recent times has led to an increase in trade rumors surrounding the Bulls star.

Another team that has not been doing well this season is the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite managing to make history by being the first team to win the NBA In-Season Tournament, the Lakers have not looked the same over the past few months and currently hold a record of 19 wins and 21 losses, giving them the 11th spot in the Western Conference.

Consdering that the Lakers managed to make it all the way to the conference finals last season, the expectations for this team are quite high. In order to improve their standings and chances of contending for a title, the Lakers have been involved in a lot of trade discussions involving Zach LaVine.

While there is no denying that adding LaVine to their roster will certainly make the team better, senior NBA Insider Brian Windhorst opined that there is almost no chance for the Lakers to pursue LaVine. That said, a closer look at the current situation is required.

Who should the Lakers target before the trade deadline?

Although it might be a stretch to claim that there is a zero percent chance for the Lakers to acquire Zach LaVine, Windhorst opined that to be the case as the February 8th NBA trade deadline approaches.

“I think there’s a zero percent chance of the Lakers trading for Zach Lavine.”

– Brian Windhorst

(h/t @_TradeDeadline ) pic.twitter.com/Anh9324r1S

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 15, 2024

It might interest fans to hear that Windy defended his stance by claiming that the Lakers are struggling just as much on the defensive end of the floor. Therefore, bringing an offense-focused player like Zach onto their roster might not change their situation and current predicament greatly.

Instead of making a trade for LaVine, one could argue that the Lakers should pursue other wing defenders who have been involved in trade rumors. Andrew Wiggins of the Golden State Warriors has been struggling over the past few seasons. Since he is an elite defender, changing his team and pairing him alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis could help the team a lot more.

Another player that the Lakers should be on the lookout for is Pascal Siakam from the Toronto Raptors. He is on an expiring deal and could be traded for by the Lakers. Given Pascal’s length and basketball skill. he might help the team become significantly better.

In any case, Lakers fans are somewhat disappointed that a trade for Zach LaVine appears to be off the table at the moment. All they can do now is wait and see what moves their team decides to make before the NBA trade deadline.