The NBA world was set ablaze last night after ESPN's Shams Charania reported that the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers agreed to a three-team mega-deal, sending 25-year-old superstar Luka Doncic to the Lakers in exchange for 31-year-old phenom Anthony Davis.
Less than 24 hours later, Charania dropped another bomb. The Chicago Bulls, Sacramento Kings, and San Antonio Spurs agreed on a massive three-team deal including seven players, four first-round picks, and three second-rounders.
Chicago begins the prolonged rebuild, sends LaVine to Sacramento
Full trade:
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 3, 2025
Spurs: De'Aaron Fox, Jordan McLaughlin
Kings: Zach LaVine, Sidy Cissoko, three first round picks (2025 CHA, 2027 SAS, 2031 MIN), three second round picks (2025 CHI, 2028 DEN, 2028 own back)
Bulls: Zach Collins, Tre Jones, Kevin Huerter, their own 2025 pick via SAS https://t.co/UgwylCUYAO
The trade involves Chicago sending two-time All-Star Zach LaVine to Sacramento to team up with ex-Bull DeMar DeRozan. While LaVine is the most accomplished player included, the marquee name is certainly De'Aaron Fox. Less than a week ago, Charania reported that the Kings were opening up talks to deal their best player—Fox.
Despite the numerous players involved in the second consecutive mega-deal, the Bulls will only be parting with one. In return, Chicago will receive big man Zach Collins, point guard Tre Jones from the Spurs, and wing Kevin Huerter from the Kings. Furthermore, the Bulls will receive their own first-rounder from San Antonio. As a quick refresher, the Spurs owned Chicago's first-round pick if it were to fall outside the top 10.
While the Doncic-for-Davis swap is as shocking as it gets, this trade is far more subdued. Fox and LaVine were widely expected to be dealt ahead of the deadline. Although expectations regarding a LaVine trade have been tempered in recent weeks, the Mavericks seemed to have set off a trade alarm after last night's stunner.
The Chicago Bulls will receive significant cap flexibility from this deal.
— Yossi Gozlan (@YossiGozlan) February 3, 2025
💰$10 million in savings for 2025-26
💰Could generate a $26.3 million trade exception
They will need to create two roster spots before executing this trade.
At first glance, the return for the Bulls is rather minimal. This trade says more about Chicago's Front Office bracing for a full-on rebuild by clearing future cap space. The Bulls will save $10 million in 2025-26 and could generate a massive, $26.3 million trade exception.
Huerter is under contract for one more season. The 6-foot-7 sharpshooter is set to earn nearly $17 million this season and $18 million next. Jones is currently playing on an expiring pact, reeling in a modest $9 million before hitting unrestricted free agency in the summer. Lastly, Collins is on the books for this season and next. The 27-year-old is slated to earn a combined $34.8 million.
Perhaps the most important acquisition of this trade is the 2025 first-rounder. After jettisoning LaVine, the expectation is that the Bulls will likely send Nikola Vucevic elsewhere in a subsequent trade. Thus initiating the full-scale rebuild. Now, the Bulls own their first-round pick, which figures to be a top-7 selection.