The Chicago Bulls want to rebuild, so they traded DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso in the offseason. The franchise has been trying to deal Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic for months. Both are playing well and helping them win games. It has improved Vuc’s market, but LaVine’s contract and injury history complicate any potential deal.
The 6’5 wing is having a career year and producing at an elite rate. He averages 23.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 0.9 steals in 33.9 minutes per game. LaVine is shooting 51.6 percent from the field and 45.5 percent on his 3-point attempts. His market remains cool, but it only takes one bidder to make a trade.
There is one obvious trade partner, but it would mean sending him to a longtime rival. Are the Bulls willing to let a team in their division improve? Getting off the $94.6 million owed to LaVine after this season should be their top priority, and this may be Chicago’s only option.
Bulls should trade Zach LaVine to the Pistons
Detroit needs a number two option behind Cade Cunningham with Jaden Ivey likely out for the season. There has been some chatter about Detroit getting involved in the Jimmy Butler trade and taking on Bradley Beal. The Pistons would be taking on a significant salary and his no-trade clause for a declining player. Phoenix has one first-round draft pick, so it is not like the Pistons would get a ton of draft capital for Beal's negative contract.
LaVine is a better and more dynamic scorer making less than Beal. Detroit is 16th in offensive rating and two spots behind the Bulls. Adding LaVine would give them another elite floor spacer and scorer for their playoff push.
The Pistons are just 1.5 games out of a guaranteed playoff spot and two games from being in the top four in the East. Everything is jumbled and one move could propel them to their first playoff berth since 2019.
The market for LaVine is frigid. It won’t take much to acquire the two-time All-Star as Cunningham’s backcourt partner. LaVine turns 30 in March. He has been outstanding this season and a playoff push might help him lock in further. The 6’5 wing would not be the number one option in Detroit, which should allow his efficiency to stay up and bring plenty of open looks.
Trading Zach LaVine allows the Chicago Bulls to tank out the season and keep their top-ten protected first-round pick out of San Antonio. The 2025 draft is loaded with top-end talent and could allow the franchise to get a building block. Chicago needs young talent and to stockpile assets. This could be a positive step if the front office is willing to trade with the rival Pistons. Hopefully, they make it happen.