The Chicago Bulls have not tipped their hand about their offseason plans, but there has been widespread speculation that trading Zach LaVine is a top priority.
Pulling that off won’t be easy unless the Bulls want to pay to get rid of him, as LaVine is coming off an injury and still has three huge years left on his bloated deal.
It’s possible that a market will shape up after the draft and free agency when teams are better positioned to evaluate their needs, and there are teams who could come calling after striking out elsewhere.
But can the Bulls actually get something of value for Zach LaVine?
The potential return in a Zach LaVine trade
Right now, the answer to that question is probably not.
The Bulls will have to be patient to wait out teams like the Pistons, 76ers and Magic, which have cap space and are eager to use it on something. If they don’t get the players they want in free agency, the Bulls might be able to snag a draft pick or a young player instead of having to attach assets just to move LaVine’s deal.
There’s a small chance the Bulls could move LaVine for a few role players or even someone on an expiring deal whose team wants to get something in return, which is what happens in this unlikely scenario.