1 home run trade the Bulls can make with each rumored Zach LaVine trade suitor
The Bulls are expected to trade Zach LaVine before the Feb. 8 deadline.
By Tyler Watts
The Chicago Bulls are shopping Zach LaVine (subscription required). He is currently sidelined by a foot injury, but the Bulls are eager to trade the two-time All-Star. The franchise has several decisions to make before the deadline, and LaVine’s future appears to be at the forefront.
DeMar DeRozan becomes an unrestricted free agent in the offseason, and the two sides are rumored to be apart on an extension. He could be traded before the Feb. 8 deadline. The Bulls will get calls on Alex Caruso, Coby White, Nikola Vucevic, and others. Their front office must decide who is part of their future and how they can get back into contention.
The market for LaVine (subscription required) is up in the air. What can the Bulls get for a two-time All-Star who has played in just four playoff games in his first nine years in the NBA? Here is the best package the franchise can hope for from each potential suitor.
Best Zach LaVine trade the Chicago Bulls can make with the Heat
The Heat are always chasing another star. They will be in on all the best players before the trade deadline, but can the Heat muster up enough capital to make a blockbuster trade happen?
Miami has two first-round draft picks, plus Tyler Herro to package for a star. The Blazers wisely got more for Damian Lillard. The Heat are not getting a superstar. Their best bet is to make a play for an All-Star who can solve their ball-handling and shot-creation issues in the playoffs.
LaVine is far from the perfect fit, but if the Heat jump into the running this is likely the best package the Bulls can realistically expect in the return from Miami.
LaVine to Heat
Herro is a bucket who is on pace to average over 20 points per game for the third straight year. The 23-year-old struggles on the defensive end, but his elite shooting and scoring shine through.
Duncan Robinson is another elite shooter who is having the best year of his career. He has two years and $39.3 million left on his contract after this season, but the Bulls could go all-in on scoring. They may not win many games but could put an exciting product on the floor.
Would the Heat give up Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson, and a first-round draft pick for Zach LaVine and Jevon Carter? It depends on the market. Miami will bid for all the top talents. If someone better than LaVine becomes available, this package could quickly fly off the table.