As the NBA trade deadline approaches, LeBron James‘ Los Angeles Lakers might just end up making another move. Fans will be aware that the Lakers have been struggling this season. They currently hold a subpar record of 25 wins and 28 losses. This is despite the addition of multiple new players to the roster like Patrick Beverley, Dennis Schroder, and even Rui Hachimura.
However, none of these trades involved moving Russell Westbrook, someone who has been largely blamed for the Lakers’ lack of success over the past few years. Now, we have found out that Los Angeles has set its sights on a Chicago Bulls star and look to offload Westbrook. Let us take a closer look at this trade rumor.
The Los Angeles Lakers might include Russell Westbrook in a trade to the Chicago Bulls for Zach LaVine
It appears that the Lakers are one of the suitors for LaVine if the Chicago Bulls do decide to move him. We all know that Zach has been with the Bulls for the past 6 years. While they have been largely unsuccessful in the postseason, he has still been playing well for them.
Zach is averaging 23.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists this season. Last year, his team managed to make the playoffs after trading for DeMar DeRozan and Lonzo Ball. However, they were eliminated in the first round by Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks.
In any case, according to senior NBA reporter for Yahoo Sports Jake Fisher, “The Lakers, Heat, Knicks and Mavericks have consistently been mentioned by league personnel as holding motivations to land Zach LaVine if Chicago moves him.”
The Lakers, Heat, Knicks and Mavericks have consistently been mentioned by league personnel as holding motivations to land Zach LaVine if Chicago moves him, per @JakeLFischer pic.twitter.com/2iCSBH19J4
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) February 2, 2023
The problem here if the Lakers want him is the fact that Zach is on a 5 year $215 million supermax deal. That means, he is making an average of $43 million a year. On the other hand, the Los Angeles Lakers point guard is earning around $41 million this season on the backend of a 5 year $206 million contract.
That means the Bulls are estimating LaVine’s value in the league to be quite high and have given him this contract to ward off other potential destinations for the NBA star. He is locked in with them all the way until the 2027 NBA season.
While LeBron looks to still be in his prime, the Lakers shouldn’t really wait for 2027 before making a move. Even if that means throwing in the draft picks with Westbrook to give the Bulls an appealing package. Chicago is at 24 wins and 27 losses, if their season worsens, we might just see this happening.
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