Cross another team off the potential Zach LaVine trade list
The drama between the Chicago Bulls and Zach LaVine has intensified in recent days as the two sides have traded shots in the press.
The Bulls decided to trash LaVine behind an anonymous team source in another baffling move, as it neither helps the possibilities of trading him, nor of securing future free agents.
Who exactly would want to play for this current front office and ownership group?
The Bulls have been relegated to waiting around, hoping for an injury or some other scenario that might make a team desperate enough to trade for LaVine and the 3 years/$138 million left on his deal.
Until they do, Chicago is stuck somewhere between being competitive and tanking, exactly where they don't want to be.
The list of possible suitors was expected to grow after Lauri Markkanen signed an extension with the Jazz, making it impossible to move him next season and taking the biggest trade target off the market, but that has not been the case so far.
The Golden State Warriors want no part of a Zach LaVine trade
Golden State is one of the teams that likely hasn’t done enough to keep up with the competition in the Western Conference after losing Klay Thompson and replacing him with a hodge podge of players highlighted by Buddy Hield.
After striking out on Markkanen, you’d think they might come calling about LaVine, but according to The Athletic (subscription) the Warriors haven’t expressed any interest in dabbling in the LaVine market.
This could change, as Golden State is one of the few teams that has a comparable contract (Andrew Wiggins) in terms of years and they could likely upgrade with LaVine without including any other assets.
But as of right now, you can add Golden State to the list of teams that do not want any part of the LaVine show.
Given that the relationship between the Bulls and LaVine has continued to deteriorate past the point of repair, it’s hard to imagine him being in Chicago for too much longer, but without a trade market there can’t be a trade and that’s the situation the Bulls find themselves in as the summer winds down.