Chicago Bulls: Mavericks ‘have contacted’ for a Zach LaVine trade inquiry

Interest seems to be coming from multiple sources for a potential trade discussion with the Chicago Bulls for shooting guard Zach LaVine.

The latest edition of the 2020 NBA Mock Draft from Kevin O’Conner of The Ringer had a lot of notable nuggets and takeaways for the Chicago Bulls and their fans. The most notable of that report in terms of potential trade possibilities for recently hired executive vice president Arturas Karnisovas, general manager Marc Eversley, and the Bulls involved the Dallas Mavericks and standout 25-year-old 6-foot-6 shooting guard Zach LaVine.

This latest mock draft from The Ringer and O’Conner had a lot more to it than just the predictions for the lottery and beyond next week. It also had a number of notable nuggets, including potential trade scenarios and reports linking different teams together on the open market.

In his latest mock draft less than one week ahead of the 2020 NBA Draft night now (set to take place on Nov. 18), O’Conner of The Ringer did have the Bulls sticking in the four slot. But trades aren’t necessarily a huge part of his mock draft. That is something that can always change.

What he did have was the reported connection between LaVine and the Bulls and a trade inquiry from the Mavericks. While there is nothing concrete that the Bulls are actually looking to trade LaVine, apparently the Mavericks (among a number of other teams) have at least inquired into what he would bring to the table for them through potential trade deals.

It is also important to note that O’Conner had the Bulls taking the former NBL Illawarra Hawks 6-foot-7 19-year-old point guard LaMelo Ball with the fourth overall pick in this draft lottery. Here’s more on what O’Conner had to say about the possible situation of the Bulls exploring LaVine trade ideas.

"Selecting Ball would likely mean more changes are on the horizon, particularly in the backcourt. Multiple teams, including the Mavericks, have already inquired this offseason about trading for Zach LaVine. If the Bulls keep the pick and elect to go in a different direction, Deni Avdija is also in consideration."

This entire scenario all hinges on the idea that the Bulls get a solid primary ball handler and playmaker if LaMelo were to fall to them in the four slot. There’s no certainty this situation plays out on draft night, though.

The projected top three at this moment in the draft seems to be Ball, Georgia shooting guard Anthony Edwards, and Memphis center James Wiseman. If that plays out as expected on draft night, the Bulls would have to trade up into the top three to have a chance at drafting Ball.

On the Mavericks side of the discussion, getting LaVine does make a lot of sense. They’re looking to add a third player to complete the Big 3 alongside point guard Luka Doncic and forward Kristaps Porzingis.