5 Trades the Bulls should make to get Zach LaVine on a contender

5. Years of Zach LaVine to the Lakers rumors finally come to fruition

It was only inevitable that this team would conclude this list, wasn’t it? Try as we might, it’s been impossible to ignore Lakers fans online clamoring for LaVine year after year. Edited jersey swaps, lopsided trade proposals, you name it, nothing’s going to stop the Lakers propaganda hype machine.

In the past, there’s been nothing to it, but this time it finally seems as though there could be some traction building on a deal. It’s no secret the Lakers’ superstar duo is aging. When healthy, they’re world beaters. A grueling 82-game schedule often exhausts LeBron James and Anthony Davis to the point where there’s little left in the tank for a playoff run. By trading for LaVine, the Lakers could keep things afloat even on nights when LeBron or Davis rests, leaving the team better prepared for another postseason run.

Zach LaVine could be the missing piece for one last LeBron James-led championship run.

The Lakers are limited in what they can offer Chicago in return, but there’s more than enough to get a deal done here. D’Angelo Russell would have to be included in any deal, as would Rui Hachimura. That’s an interesting duo who would get real play time in Chicago, rather than being simple salary filler. Jalen Hood-Schifino is also worth a look, as the No. 17 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft class could potentially compensate for the fact Chicago did not have their own first-round pick to make use of this past summer.

Much like Miami, the most important part of this deal is going to be the future first-round picks. This Lakers’ core is clearly aging and looking to secure one last championship run. That means any of their future picks are worth their weight in gold. If the Bulls wish to truly rebuild, they’d be wise to emulate Oklahoma City and play the long game by stocking up on draft capital, rather than rushing back into a situation with a mediocre core.