If the Chicago Bulls are going to rebuild this summer, it has to start with finding a trade for Zach LaVine.
The Bulls reportedly shopped LaVine aggressively at the trade deadline but couldn't find any takers, as he is oft-injured and still has a hefty three years left on his deal.
But LaVine is reportedly "ahead of schedule" on his injury rehab according to NBC Sports Chicago, which may help if the Bulls try to shop him again this summer.
There will be teams that strike out on their main targets, or ones that have cap space and need to make some kind of move, so if the Bulls are patient, they can find a trade for LaVine.
We've already heard the Lakers mentioned as a possible destination, but there are at least six other teams that make sense as a possible trade partner.
Chicago Bulls rumors: 6 Teams that could trade for Zach LaVine
#1: Detroit Pistons
We've talked about the Pistons as a possibility, mostly because they have cap space, are terrible and may strike out on big moves. They reportedly showed some interest in LaVine at the trade deadline but ultimately weren't willing to part with any of their young players.
The Pistons have the cap space to absorb LaVine's deal without sending much back, so if the Bulls were willing to dump him for a young role player and a few second-round picks, Detroit could be an option.
#2: Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks are desperate to shake up a team that, like the Bulls, is stuck in NBA purgatory.
They will reportedly look to move either Trae Young and/or Dejounte Murray this offseason and a shooter like LaVine does make some sense depending on which one they keep.
The Bulls could potentially take back the contract of De'Andre Hunter, which would at least get them a useful rotation player, but his deal isn't great either, as it runs through 2026-27 and ramps up to $24 million.
So the Bulls would still be on the hook for the same number of years but for $24 million less per season. Atlanta is definitely a team for the Bulls to monitor this offseason.
#3: Orlando Magic
The Magic just lost a tough 7-game series to the Cavaliers and will look to bolster their young roster this offseason.
Their biggest need is 3-point shooting and the Magic do have $25 million in cap space to take on a bigger contract. They also have a logjam of big men to deal from and could move either Wendell Carter Jr. or Jonathan Isaac.
The Bulls could certainly use Wendell Carter Jr. but given LaVine's injury history, Chicago may have to attach another asset. The Magic are going to be after any shooter on the market and some kind of deal involving LaVine could be possible.
#4: Sacramento Kings
The Kings could lose free-agent Malik Monk and will need some additional scoring this offseason.
The Kings are in a payroll bind though, and won't have cap space to take on a big deal unless they ship out equal money, which won't be easy to do without including Harrison Barnes, which seems highly unlikely given that he never misses games and LaVine always does.
If the Kings decline options on their free agents to open some cap space, they could get a deal started with the expiring deals of Trey Lyles and Sasha Vezenkov but it's difficult to get there financially without including a player who is too valuable to deal for Zach LaVine given the uncertainty around his injury.
There would likely have to be additional teams involved to swing something with the Kings.
#5: Charlotte Hornets
Like the Pistons, the Hornets are terrible and need to do something to excite fans who have nine toes out the door. Like the Bulls, the Hornets will be hoping for a comeback from a Ball and would love to put another star around LaMelo and Brandon Miller.
The Hornets are an interesting possibility, as they have moveable contracts in Davis Bertans and Grant Williams and a potential salary slot for LaVine depending on what they do with Miles Bridges.
The Bulls should be looking to avoid any long-term money unless they are getting back someone who can actually play, and Bertans would at least be one expiring deal.
#6: Cleveland Cavaliers
But the most interesting team might be the Cleveland Cavaliers, who just advanced in the playoffs but have a big offseason looming when it comes to Donovan Mitchell.
Mitchell has reportedly been reluctant to sign an extension with Cleveland, and if he doesn't, he only has a player option left on his deal after next season, so the Cavaliers might be compelled to trade him or risk losing him for nothing.
Mitchell may also demand out, though the Bulls wouldn't likely have anywhere near the assets to get him, as there would be plenty of interested teams with more to offer.
But the Cavaliers could look to LaVine to replace some of his production, which would allow them to potentially still be a playoff team next season even if they lose Mitchell.
Expect Cleveland to be in plenty of trade rumors this summer, as Mitchell would be the best player on the market and could cause a domino effect that touches several teams, including the Bulls.