Chicago Bulls: Zach LaVine trade speculation keeps getting shot down

Definitely the most speculation among fan and media circles around the NBA concerning trade discussions for the Chicago Bulls goes on for star 25-year-old shooting guard Zach LaVine. The former UCLA Bruin is looking to have yet another career year in the NBA, similar to what he did last season.

LaVine is off to a really hot start this season, and could be on pace to nab his first career NBA All-Star selection (or whatever form that bid takes to during the 2020-21 campaign). An improved start for the Bulls this season is largely due to the uptick in production and efficiency from the likes of LaVine and their rejuvenated veteran bench.

However, that still doesn’t stop fan circles from different teams around the NBA from talking about any potential trades that could happen for LaVine before the deadline this season. Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times recently opened up on the discussion surrounding a LaVine trade this season.

Cowley mentioned in this piece in the Sun-Times that he is fine with trade discussions going on involving LaVine, but it can’t be in return for the Philadelphia 76ers star point guard Ben Simmons. Given the confusing situation between the Sixers two stars this season, Simmons and center Joel Embiid, it’s hard to tell which player brings more value to the table on the trade market hypothetically.

More on LaVine and the Chicago Bulls

And an even more compelling addition to the hypothetical LaVine trade discussion was brought about of late from K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago. While it doesn’t seem like Johnson is leaning in one particular direction too heavily for a LaVine trade, he definitely wasn’t ruling out anything either.

Here’s more on what he had to say on the possibility of a LaVine trade in the near future.

"Two things: Nobody is, or should be, untouchable on this roster. And at least for now, word around the league is that the Bulls aren’t looking to move LaVine. Why would they? As you say, he’s playing on an All-Star level and on a value contract.The tricky part, of course, comes when that contract expires. LaVine will be seeking a max contract. So it’s up to Artūras Karnišovas and Marc Eversley to figure out either how to build a championship roster around a maxed-out LaVine or maximize him as a trade asset. It’s my guess that that decision doesn’t get made during this season. And in the meantime, you hope LaVine continues this ascension."

Given the fact that Cowley and Johnson are both still holding major caveats in any potential LaVine trade discussion, there is an indicator that there’s not too much of a tendency for the new front office regime to part ways with him in the near future. That is unless the Bulls and first-year executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas gets an unbeatable offer ahead of the deadline.

LaVine was great for the Bulls out of the gates this season. He’s played in all 17 games for the Bulls so far this season (starting in all of them), averaging around 36 minutes on the floor per game. And he’s averaged an impressive 27.0 points per game, 5.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.6 blocks. LaVine shot 50.2 percent from the field, 39.7 percent from beyond the arc, and 87.6 percent from the free-throw line.

That all has amounted to a career-best 2.7 box plus/minus rating, 0.7 value over replacement player rating, .135 win shares per 48 minutes, 1.7 total win shares, 64.2 true shooting percentage, 114 offensive rating/113 defensive rating, and a 21.1 player efficiency rating.

LaVine and the Bulls now carry a record of 7-10 following their sizable loss to the Boston Celtics at home at the United Center on the night of Jan. 25, which came by the final score of 119-103. They have now lost two games in a row, which came also against the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Bulls were supposed to face the Memphis Grizzlies on the night of Jan. 27, but that game was pushed back in the wake of novel coronavirus related issues. Now next up for the Bulls is a meeting with the Portland Trail Blazers at home on Jan. 30.