The Chicago Bulls received a lot of criticism for trading Zach LaVine to the Kings for what seemed like a meager return at the time, but it has quickly proved to be a great decision.
LaVine is not a bad player by any means, but his huge contract made it hard to build the roster around him. The players the Bulls received in return have also played better than their trade value, and have guided the Bulls in finding a promising new direction.
LaVine’s time with the Bulls was over
Let’s look at the Bulls’ full return for LaVine: Zach Collins, Tre Jones, Kevin Huerter, and their own 2025 first-round pick (which became Noa Essengue). Although LaVine offered more top-end scoring talent, the new Bulls have brought balanced depth to Chicago. Having shooting at every position has contributed to the Bulls’ success so far this season.
Moving Lavine also opened up more opportunities for Josh Giddey to lead the offense. Since the 30-year-old guard was dealt to Sacramento, Giddey’s scoring has shot up in both volume and efficiency. He’s ascended into the All-Star conversation by seizing the opportunity left by LaVine’s absence.
LaVine has his strengths and has looked good in Sacramento. He’s even thriving on the Kings, averaging 27.4 points per game this season on great shooting splits (51.6/38.3/92.9). But he’s not quite good enough to elevate a team to contention as the primary option and is commanding a $47 million salary this season.
The swingman has also never been a great defender. Despite his supreme athletic abilities, he hasn’t put it all together on that end of the court. Tre Jones, on the other hand, has been a pillar of the Bulls' defense. His pesky defensive playmaking is partially responsible for the Bulls’ great start so far.
The Bulls are getting more value from the multiple players they received back in the trade, while also increasing their financial flexibility. Between Collins, Huerter, and Jones, they have three tradeable contracts and players who fit into a team-centric playstyle. They mesh well with Giddey’s playmaking and the team’s potent three-point shooting. And if an ideal trade target does become available, they can be used as filler to get a deal done.
LaVine is undeniably a talented player and exceptional scorer. He has a unique blend of long-distance sharpshooting and athletic slashing that few other players can match. But he has negative trade value when considering his lucrative contract. The Bulls maximized his return last season when they jumped into a trade between the Kings and the San Antonio Spurs.
Just getting Lavine off the books was arguably a win. Adding valuable contributors like Huerter and Jones (not to mention a high-upside lottery pick) in return sweetens the deal even more. With the Bulls establishing themselves as a team on the rise, the trade just keeps looking better.